Jade Jones was on a mission the moment she walked into Gainbridge Fieldhouse. With cameras clicking and fans buzzing about Caitlin Clark’s long-awaited return, Tyrese Haliburton’s longtime girlfriend found a way to stand out. Her courtside look, her famous friends, and her pricey accessory turned as many heads as the scoreboard, leaving everyone asking the same question: What brought her to the Indiana Fever’s matchup with the Golden State Valkyries?
Why Did Jade Jones Sit Courtside at the Fever Game?
Haliburton’s girlfriend, Jones, is a close friend of Indiana Fever guard Clark. Meanwhile, Haliburton is buddies with Clark’s boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, who served as the Pacers’ basketball development coordinator during the 2023-24 season. According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, the four keep an active text group, so it was no surprise to see Jones courtside Wednesday night.
The game marked Clark’s first appearance after missing five contests with a groin injury. Expectations were high, but the Fever fell 80-61 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Clark logged 25 minutes and finished with 10 points, six assists, and five rebounds.
Jones soaked in every minute from her seat near the floor. She even shared an Instagram story featuring her Wander matelassé nappa leather hobo bag, a $2,900 statement piece that quickly became a talking point.
Jones’s admiration for Clark dates back to the guard’s Iowa Hawkeyes days. Born in 1998 in Iowa, Jones cheered at Davenport West High School before attending Iowa State, an in-state rival of Clark’s alma mater. Despite the rivalry, Jones had no problem rooting for her friend once Clark reached the WNBA. Haliburton, on the other hand, started cheering only after Clark joined the Fever, though he had followed her career because of his friendship with McCaffery.
The Haliburton-Jones relationship began during their first year at Iowa State, where Jones continued her cheerleading career and Haliburton started for the Cyclones. Their bond deepened when Haliburton jumped to the NBA. The couple even named their goldendoodle “Ames” after the city where they first met.
Today, Jones teaches at Walcott Elementary School in Iowa and attends Pacers games whenever possible. She traveled with Haliburton to Paris, France, when Team USA captured Olympic gold, and she rarely misses a big moment in his career.
That support matters now more than ever. Haliburton suffered an Achilles injury during the Pacers’ seven-game NBA Finals loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder and will miss the entire 2025-26 season. Jones acknowledged the emotional roller coaster on Instagram, writing:
“What a year!!! What a bittersweet ending to it all. This team is SO special, beyond words. You have made a historic run for the Pacers that generations will be talking about!!! This season has made such a special imprint on my heart. One of the best things we have ever been a part of!!! Just know how much it meant to all of us.”
The couple celebrated their six-year anniversary in April. With Haliburton sidelined for an entire season, Jones’s steady presence figures to remain a key source of support as he works his way back to the court.
