Less than an hour before the Sky’s third game against the Fever six weeks into the WNBA season, there were 63 tickets available on StubHub, selling for between $252 and $3,311.
People lined the block around Wintrust Arena and lingered around the neighboring hotel in anticipation of the game. If their loitering wasn’t enough of an indication that a rousing contest was about to be played, the Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark jerseys were a sure giveaway.
The excitement was palpable, including for Reese and Clark.
‘‘We were driving by, and there were so many lines outside of people who were already trying to get in,’’ Clark said before the game. ‘‘People are really excited to see this matchup.
‘‘You could just feel it driving up on the bus. Once everybody gets in the building, it will be special.’’
Inside, fans slowly arrived at their seats. A little more than 10 minutes before the game, there still were a considerable number of empty seats. By tipoff, however, they were filled with people eager to watch some basketball drama.
Clark made the first field goal of the game — a three-pointer from the top of the key in the face of Sky guard Marina Mabrey — a minute in and was met with the type of fan response one would expect from a home crowd. On the next play, Sky guard Chennedy Carter made a fadeaway jumper and received the same response.
The first two games between the Sky and Fever — both of which resulted in single-digit losses for the Sky — were played in front of sellout crowds of 17,274 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Sunday was the Sky’s opportunity to create a similarly electric atmosphere at Wintrust Arena, and they started with a pregame performance from Chicago rapper Vic Mensa. Lil Durk performed at halftime.
The game was a sellout with 10,387 fans, including actor/comedian Jason Sudeikis, Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and Chance the Rapper.
‘‘I love [the crowd],’’ Reese said. ‘‘I love it for women’s sports. They haven’t sold out crowds in a long time. Being able to do this and be here in this moment, continuing to grow women’s basketball, is important to me.’’
The Sky have had three sellouts this season, including Sunday. Their average attendance was 7,241 last season, according to Across The Timeline.
Fourteen of the Fever’s 17 games this season have been sellouts, with a number of opposing franchises opting to move games to larger venues. The Fever-Sky game wasn’t able to be moved to the United Center because of a concert.
The Sky’s game Aug. 30 against the Fever still is scheduled to be played at Wintrust Arena, president and CEO Adam Fox said.
Williams update
Center Elizabeth Williams will have surgery on the torn meniscus in her right knee in the ‘‘next few days,’’ coach Teresa Weatherspoon said before game.
Williams suffered the injury in the first half of the Sky’s game June 6 against the Mystics. She has remained with the Sky since, occasionally doing light activity on an exercise bike while the team practices.
Weatherspoon didn’t say whether Williams will be able to return this season.
