WNBA: Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese rivalry game draws big ratings

Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky and Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever meet at mid court prior to tipoff for the Fever’s home opener at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 17, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images/AFP

Saturday’s game between the Caitlin Clark-led Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky drew an average of 2.7 million viewers on ABC, making it the most watched WNBA regular-season contest in 25 years, per Sports Media Watch.

The game, which peaked at 3.1 million viewers, drew the league’s second-largest average audience for any event — save for last year’s WNBA All-Star Game (3.44 million).

READ: Caitlin Clark says it was too loud to hear alleged racist comments

It was the largest regular-season audience since Memorial Day 2000.

The Fever thrashed the rival Sky 93-58, with Clark recording a triple-double and picking up her first flagrant foul as a pro.

Clark fouled Angel Reese to prevent a clear layup, and Reese was incensed and shouted at her for several moments after the whistle. Clark’s foul was upgraded after review to a flagrant-1, and Reese received two free throws.

READ: Caitlin Clark still must-watch TV during WNBA preseason

The WNBA is investigating allegations of hateful comments or noises made toward the players during the incident. A video shared on social media showed a male fan — wearing a red replica Caitlin Clark jersey with matching shorts — sitting courtside and making high-pitched noises while Reese shot a free throw with 4:38 left in the third quarter.

On Sunday, the WNBA released a statement saying that it was “aware of the allegations” and looking into the matter.