The Sky and Fever set viewership records two Sundays in a row.
Their latest matchup — an 88-87 Sky victory — averaged 2.30 million viewers on ESPN, according to Sports Media Watch, surpassing the previous mark the teams set the week before, when their game averaged 2.25 million viewers on CBS. It was the most-watched WNBA game in 23 years.
Seven days later, the Sky and Fever played the most-watched WNBA broadcast on record for ESPN.
Rookie Angel Reese recorded her eighth consecutive double-double against the Fever with 25 points and 16 rebounds. She is the first rookie to record 25 or more points and 15 or more rebounds in a game since two-time MVP A’ja Wilson.
The Sky earned their first win over the Fever after trailing by 15 in the third quarter. Reese sparked the Sky’s comeback, going on a 10-point tear in the final six minutes of the game. The Sky outscored the Fever 24-15 in the final 10 minutes.
The Sky have been part of two of the WNBA’s three most-watched games since 2001. The Fever have played in all three, with the third being Caitlin Clark’s debut against the Sun on May 14.
Sunday’s game was played in front of a sellout crowd at Wintrust Arena that at times sounded like a home crowd for Clark. She finished with 17 points and set a franchise record for assists in a game with 13 to become the first rookie in the last 10 years with a double-double in points and assists.
