The TV ratings for the Indiana Fever's second game without Caitlin Clark are in, and a lot of people might be surprised.
The Fever lost to the Connecticut Sun on Friday, May 30, in an emotionally charged game that saw two of Clark's teammates (Sydney Colson and Sophie Cunningham) fall to injury. But there is good news.
ION reported 851,000 people watched the game on the network — the largest audience so far this season. That number also represents an increase of 100 percent during the same time in the season last year.
"The game — which peaked with 1.1 million in the 9:30 PM ET quarter-hour — delivered the largest audience ever on ION for a game that did not involve Caitlin Clark," wrote ION.
While plenty of people were worried that Clark's absence would mean a significant decline in viewership, it appears this isn't the case. That theory will be tested Tuesday night when the Fever faces the Mystics in Indianapolis.
Clark is not expected to take the court tonight, and Cunningham will also be out. However, the team will have Colson back on the floor and will be joined by newcomer Aari McDonald, who signed a hardship contract with the Fever on June 2.
MORE WNBA NEWS:
- Fever sign new player after Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham injuries
- This WNBA star is the odds-on favorite for MVP — and it’s not Caitlin Clark
- NBA finalist's sister signs contract with the Phoenix Mercury
- Sparks' Cameron Brink reveals knee injury was more serious than reported