Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky game becomes most-watched WNBA game in 23 years at 2.3 million viewers

The WNBA continues to set milestones. The Chicago Sky’s nail-biting 88-87 triumph over the Indiana Fever on Sunday was the most-viewed WNBA game in 23 years, per ESPN.

The heated matchup averaged 2.3 million viewers and peaked at 3.3 million viewers. The game was only the latest instance of record-shattering ratings in the WNBA. The Sky and Fever have played three times this season, each time reeling in more viewers than the last.

A significant portion of the viewers tuned in to the game to watch the next chapter in the Caitlin Clark–Angel Reese saga. Since the 2022 season when Reese and LSU defeated Clark and Iowa in the national championship, the pair’s names have been linked.

This connection has not dissipated at the next level. Clark got the better of Reese in the first two games, beginning their WNBA history with a 2-0 record. However, Reese finally stamped a tally in her win column against Clark on Sunday.

Reese earned the victory. In the highly-anticipated matchup, Reese erupted for a season-high 25 points and 16 rebounds while shooting an efficient 8-12 from the field. In comparison, Clark tallied 17 points, 13 assists and six rebounds, connecting on 5-9 attempts from beyond the arc.

Angel Reese is thrilled with the win

After the game, Reese had nothing but good things to say about her team.

“It’s just good competition. I’m happy,” Reese regarding her rivalry with Clark. “I mean they still got us, they got one [win] up on us. I’m just happy for the team, I want to make it about us. “Chicago? They came out tonight, I’m just happy for us.

“I try to give myself some grace. I’m really hard on myself,” Reese continued. “I mean I’m happy we won. I’m so happy we won. That matters more than anything but I gotta get back to work and we’ve got to get back to work for our next game.”

In the win, Reese recorded her eighth double-double in a row, the longest streak ever for a WNBA rookie and the fourth-longest streak from any player in WNBA history. Additionally, she became the first WNBA rookie to record 25-plus points and 15-plus rebounds in a game since A’ja Wilson in 2018.

The Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever will meet one more time in the regular season. The two teams will square off on Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m. With any luck, it’ll be another record-breaking battle.