Could we see Caitlin Clark, Drake at NBA Finals? 9 celebrity Thunder, Pacers fans to watch
With the NBA Finals kicking off on Thursday night, Oklahoma City could see a star-studded next couple of weeks at Paycom Center.
Both the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers have prominent celebrities in their fan bases. While Okie fans can include Bill Hader, Kristin Chenoweth, James Marsden and courtside fashion icon James Goldstein, the list of Pacers fans also includes heavy hitters as well.
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Pacers fans include actor Mike Epps, "Now You See Me" actor Jesse Eisenberg, talk show host David Letterman, rapper 50 Cent, and WNBA star Caitlin Clark.
And then there are fans of the NBA at large who could be making an appearance. These guests could range from former NBA players themselves wishing to watch the action, to different dignitaries with ties to the teams, such as former Vice President and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.
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While we don't know just yet who will make an appearance in a suite or a courtside seat, here are some celebrities with ties to the Thunder and Pacers who could make an appearance during the NBA Finals.
James Marsden
The Marvel Cinematic Universe actor and Oklahoma native may make a stop at some point during the NBA Finals. The actor was previously filming in England for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, so he may want to enjoy the Thunder's first Finals run since 2012.
Drake
World-famous rapper Drake made waves in 2021 when he was spotted sitting courtside on a Wednesday night to watch a Thunder-Rockets game.
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It's unclear if Drake is a Thunder fan, but in 2021, there was talk that Drake was in town to see an old friend or if he came to support Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who, like Drake, is from Toronto. Gilgeous-Alexander hugged Drake after the game, as did Luguentz Dort, another Thunder by way of Canada.
The moment went viral when Drake shared a selfie with "my new parents" Renee, 71, and Jim Stanley, 75, of Oklahoma City to his 97.2 million Instagram followers.
Rumble greets Drake during Wednesday's Thunder-Rockets game.
Bill Hader
Comedian and actor Bill Hader attended Game 2 of the 2012 NBA Finals, the last championship run for the Thunder. Though the Thunder went on to lose against the Miami Heat, Hader was still excited to have a professional team from his home state to cheer on at the top of the league.
Actor Bill Hader sits courtside as the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Miami Heat in Game Two of the 2012 NBA Finals at Chesapeake Energy Arena on June 14, 2012 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Kristin Chenoweth
The "Wicked" actress shared her support for her home team immediately after the team qualified for the NBA Finals. And if there is a question about her fandom, Chenoweth has performed the national anthem before a game and attended other games throughout the years.
Ben Rector
The Tulsa native and talented pop singer could be a sign of good luck for the Thunder. Rector opened up Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves with the national anthem, and the Thunder went on to have a 26-point win over the team. Now the singer is on tour during Game 1 against the Pacers, but with a clear schedule, he could make an appearance at a later game.
Mike Pence
The former Vice President and Indiana Governor Mike Pence is a proud Pacers fan. Though he has not been documented courtside this season, Pence continues to show his support for the Pacers off the court.
Caitlin Clark
She plays for the Indiana Fever; it's reasonable to assume that the 2024 Rookie of the Year knows Indiana ball. The Indiana Fever are still in the midst of their season, two games removed from the NBA Finals. Due to her schedule, Clark could make an appearance at a game, but whether that's in Indy or OKC is yet to be determined.
Terry Crews
Terry Crews may be the host of "America's Got Talent," but he always has time for his Pacer team. The "Brooklyn 99" actor was courtside for Game 3 against the New York Knicks.
Mike Epps
Indiana native Mike Epps is a major part of Pacer Nation. The actor and comedian has been caught courtside for several games and constantly cheers on the Pacers. He is a frequent guest at the Pacers' home arena, so don't rule out his appearance when the Thunder head to Indiana.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: NBA Finals: 9 celebrity Thunder, Pacers fans we might see courtside
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