Caitlin Clark, Fever vs. Angel Reese, Sky Most-Watched WNBA Game in 23 Years

The Indiana Fever's 91-83 win over the Chicago Sky on Sunday averaged nearly 2.3 million viewers, according to CBS Sports.

The company said the rating was the highest for any WNBA game in 23 years as fans tuned in to watch the Fever's Caitlin Clark and Sky's Angel Reese further their budding on-court rivalry.

Clark had one of her better outings of the season. She shot 7-of-11 from the field for 23 points, adding eight rebounds and nine assists. Reese, meanwhile, extended her double-double streak to six games (11 points and 13 boards).

The WNBA's audience has been steadily growing for years and the arrival of the 2024 rookie class supercharged the trend.

The massive ratings and sold-out arenas following Clark speak for themselves, but she's not the only first-year star responsible for that growth. Reese, her Sky teammate Kamilla Cardoso, and the Los Angeles Sparks' Cameron Brink were among those who built large followings that have followed them to the WNBA.

"From preseason through the end of May, the 2024 rookie class contributed meaningfully on the court and continued to drive fan engagement," the WNBA said on June 10. "Throughout Tip-off Week, four of the five moments that drove the most engagement on social channels featured highlights of [Clark], [Reese], [Brink] or Las Vegas Aces' Kate Martin. WNBA merchandise sales are seeing a 236 percent increase year-over-year, with Clark, Reese and Brink ranking in the top five for jersey sales during the first week of the season."

With Clark and Reese specifically, the league may have the kind of competitive duel that's the proverbial tide lifting all boats.