WNBA Sends Clear Message About Caitlin Clark’s Impactful Fever Return

After missing five games with a quad injury, Caitlin Clark came back Saturday with a standout performance that reminded everyone why she’s the most talked-about player in basketball. The 23-year-old scored 32 points, grabbed eight rebounds and handed out nine assists in the Fever’s 102-88 win over the New York Liberty.

Her return wasn’t just a boost for Indiana; it became one of the biggest events of the WNBA season so far. The game averaged 2.2 million viewers and peaked at 2.8 million, making it the third most-watched game on ABC.

ESPN also revealed that its WNBA coverage is up 14% from last season and up 76% on ABC.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22).

Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The WNBA responded loud and clear, posting a message.

“All Eyes on the W,” the WNBA wrote.

This is just one of the Fever’s games this season to draw tons of attention with Clark in the lineup. On opening day against the Chicago Sky, ESPN’s coverage on ABC had an average of 2.7 million viewers, peaking at 3.1 million.

Clark was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2024 WNBA draft after playing four seasons at Iowa.

In her first season, she broke the WNBA’s rookie record for points (769) and assists (337). This year, she is already averaging 21.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 9.2 assists per game as she looks to smash her Year 1 averages of 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 8.4 assists per game.

Clark and the Fever will return to the court on Tuesday night as they host the Connecticut Sun. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on NBA TV.