Caitlin Clark, Fever vs. Angel Reese, Sky Draws 2.3M Viewers; WNBA-High Since 2001

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 23: Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky and Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever look on during the second half against the Chicago Sky on June 23, 2024 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Chicago Sky’s 88-87 win over the Indiana Fever on Sunday drew the largest audience for a WNBA game in 23 years.

ESPN announced its broadcast averaged 2.3 million viewers and peaked at 3.3 million as the Sky’s Angel Reese faced off with Indiana’s Caitlin Clark.

Following the Fever’s 91-79 victory over the Atlanta Dream and with a date against Reese days away, Clark played down any actual rivalry between the two players. She said she feels it’s something others play up instead.

“For us, it’s just a game of basketball, that’s what it is,” Clark said. “If it’s gonna help move the game forward, absolutely. That’s amazing. That’s what it should be. People can talk about it. I saw the ticket prices.”

The number speak for themselves, though.

When the Fever hosted the Sky for a 91-83 victory on June 16, an average of 2.252 million viewers watched, and that was at the time the best rating in 23 years. Now, that mark has already been surpassed.

When Clark and Reese step onto the court together, it’s guaranteed to be a major box-office affair.

Chicago and Indiana play just once more during the regular season. The Sky welcome in the Fever on Aug. 30.

It’s also possible that Reese and Clark could both be named to the All-Star Game, in which case they’d be on the same team. This year, the league’s best players not on the United States national team will take on Team USA in an exhibition ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Plenty of people inside the WNBA league office are probably rooting for that to happen given how much added attention Reese and Clark would collectively bring.

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