Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese draw record TV ratings for Fever-Sky game
The Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese rivalry continues to draw eyeballs.
Sunday’s Fever-Dream contest, featuring the two star rookies, was the most-watched WNBA game in 23 years, according to CBS Sports.
An average of 2.25 million people with a peak of 3 million tuned in to watch Clark and the Fever beat Reese and the Sky, 91-83.
Indiana Fever guard, Caitlin Clark.Jacob Musselman / USA TODAY NETWORK
Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky and Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever.
The game featured Reese whacking Clark in the head while trying to block the Fever guard’s shot in the third quarter, earning her a flagrant 1.
Reese ripped the officiating after the game and indicating the number of calls weren’t balanced, saying “some people got a special whistle.”
The rivalry between Reese and Clark began during their college days but blossomed following their initial pro meeting on June 1.
That game was scrappy, highlighted by Chennedy Carter’s flagrant 1 foul – a gnarly hip-check – that sent Clark tumbling to the floor.
“Yeah, that’s just not a basketball play,” Clark said in an interview with ESPN at the time.
Chennedy Carter reaches for the ball against NaLyssa Smith.AP
Angel Reese reacts after getting ejected in a game against the New York Liberty.AP
Following the game, Reese did not make herself available to the media, earning her a $1,000 fine.
Additionally, Carter claimed she had no regrets about her actions, saying they were all part of the game.
With the Carter foul adding another element to the build-up for the rematch, Sunday’s game drew a crowd of 17,274 people in Indianapolis.
Clark continues to draw big television audiences after setting multiple records during this year’s NCAA Tournament.
Clark generated an average 19 million average viewers during Iowa’s 87-75 loss to South Carolina in the 2024 national championship game — the most-watched college game ever, per Nielsen.
That broke records that were set during Iowa’s Elite Eight win over Reese and LSU, avenging the 2023 national title loss, and the Hawkeyes’ Final Four victory over UConn.
On Sunday, Clark had 23 points, nine assists and eight rebounds to help the Fever prevail.
The two teams play once again this Sunday in Chicago.
