Airing on ABC in the prized 3 p.m. Sunday time slot, the WNBA witnessed a surge in viewership during the Fever's Game 1 matchup against the Sun, largely credited to the presence of Caitlin Clark. Despite a challenging performance where Clark struggled offensively, the game became a crowd-puller with an average of 1.84 million viewers tuning in to watch the talented rookie make her postseason debut, as reported by Sports Media Watch. Notably, this marked the highest-rated WNBA playoff game since the 2000 WNBA Finals and the most-watched non-Finals game since 1999.

In a game where the Sun emerged victorious with a commanding 93-69 win over the Fever, Clark faced difficulties finding her rhythm, mustering only 11 points while shooting 4-of-17 from the field and sinking just two 3-pointers. Despite her on-court challenges, the remarkable viewership figures underscore the growing popularity and influence of Clark within the basketball community. The unexpected spike in ratings amid competition from NFL games on the same Sunday emphasized the significant appeal and interest surrounding Clark's gameplay, irrespective of the outcome.

Looking ahead, the Fever are gearing up to face the Sun once again in Game 2 on Wednesday night. There is anticipation that this showdown might even surpass the previous record-breaking ratings, with a potential decider in Game 3 adding further excitement. The unpredictability of sports and the electrifying energy Clark brings to the court highlight the limitless possibilities for viewership records to be shattered, especially considering her stellar performance in the NCAA tournament earlier this year. With expectations running high, the WNBA community eagerly awaits the upcoming games to witness the magic that Caitlin Clark and her team will unfurl on the court.