Positive affirmations can go a long way, even for the league's best players.
Take Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston for example. They each earned All-Star nods this season as Indiana is on pace to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
All throughout, the two No. 1 picks have kept up a pregame routine predicated on a supportive statement. It's the same phrase each night, making for a consistent start to each game.
The two Fever All-Stars have built a strong bond over the course of their first season together, and this is just another aspect of their relationship.
Here's a closer look at what Clark and Boston tell each other before each contest.
MORE: Caitlin Clark receives technical foul for being 'disrespectful to the game'
Caitlin Clark-Aliyah Boston pregame routine
Clark and Boston tell each other they are "amazing" before each game.
A microphone picked up the moment while the two were sitting on the bench pregame.
"You're going to be amazing because you are amazing," Clark told Boston.
"Because you ARE amazing."
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) August 18, 2024
this Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston mic'd up moment was so wholesome 🫶 pic.twitter.com/muDR6gBzGS
It's nothing over the top, but the positive affirmations seem to get the two stars in the right mindset for the game.
Boston responded to the Fever's X post regarding the encouraging moment, sharing that it's something the duo does every game.
Well now everyone knows!! This is our gameday routine and it’s the best everrr cause we are amazing https://t.co/G1aRdROJ7v
— Aliyah A. Boston (@aa_boston) August 18, 2024
The two have had high praise for one another throughout the season. Clark told reporters that Boston is a "positive light" in the locker room, and Boston was quick to applaud Clark's single-game assist record.
Caitlin Clark-Aliyah Boston stats
The two No. 1 picks have Indiana on pace to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
The Fever is 13-15 and the seventh seed with 12 games remaining. The team is considerably better with the duo on the floor together than when either or both are on the bench.
Indiana has a net rating of -2.69 when Clark and Boston are on the floor together, while the team is -12.02 when both are on the bench, according to PBP stats. Here's the breakdown:
Players on | Players off | Minutes | Net rating |
Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston | — | 782 | -2.69 |
Caitlin Clark | Aliyah Boston | 203 | -10.54 |
Aliyah Boston | Caitlin Clark | 76 | -7.71 |
— | Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston | 59 | -12.02 |
It shouldn't be surprising that the team is at its best when both of its top players are on the floor together.
Here are how Clark and Boston compare individually:
Caitlin Clark | Stats | Aliyah Boston |
17.8 | PPG | 14.0 |
5.8 | RPG | 9.0 |
8.3 | APG | 2.9 |
1.4 | SPG | 0.8 |
0.9 | BPG | 1.4 |
5.5 | TOV | 2.0 |
41.2% | FG% | 52.7% |
32.8% | 3-PT% | 38.9% |
89.3% | FT% | 69.2% |
28 | GP | 28 |
35.2 | MPG | 30.6 |