The primetime showdown between the New York Liberty and the Fever saw Indiana put on an offensive masterclass at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Caitlin Clark and Co. won their second consecutive game by blowing past the Liberty 108-88. Despite Caitlin Clark once again being limited to 26 minutes on the court, the clash pulled historic average and peak viewership numbers, and the fans know who to praise.

According to CBS, the nationally televised contest averaged 2.579 million viewers, with a peak audience of 3.089 million, becoming the “most-watched WNBA game on any network this season.” The WNBA Communications’ X account revealed that the game has equaled another milestone.

“The July 18 New York Liberty vs. Indiana Fever game on CBS is now the second most-watched WNBA game since 2000,” they wrote in the caption while sharing CBS’s original post.

Media tracking reveals that the 11 largest WNBA television audiences since 2001 have all featured Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. In fact, before this game, another Fever matchup against the Aces on NBC and Peacock drew 2.64 million viewers. That contest also ranks among the five most-watched WNBA games since 2000.

The Indiana Fever had to overcome an early double-digit deficit before eventually blowing past the New York Liberty, thanks in large part to a dominant third quarter in which they outscored the Liberty 30-12.

Caitlin Clark, fresh off a historic 45-point performance against the Seattle Storm, orchestrated the offense with 17 points and 7 assists while converting a crucial 3-point play early in the 3rd quarter to give Indiana its first lead. Kelsey Mitchell poured in a game-high 33 points. She did it on an efficient 10-of-14 shooting from the field, including 4 3-pointers.

Fans Credit Caitlin Clark for Fever vs. Liberty’s Record Viewership

The majority of the conversation centered around Caitlin Clark. The general consensus among fans who responded to the WNBA’s post announcing the milestone was that Clark was the driving force behind the historic television audience.

“We all know why. It’s about time you recognize it too,” one fan wrote, alongside a GIF of Caitlin Clark. Another fan was even more direct, writing, “The Caitlin Clark effect is undeniable. It is what it is…”

One particular fan, in fact, put together a detailed breakdown of the five most-watched WNBA games since 2000. As the fan pointed out, and as the viewership data reflects, all five featured Caitlin Clark. Four of those games came this season, against the Aces, the Dallas Wings, and twice against the New York Liberty. The remaining game, which still sits at the top of the list, came against the Chicago Sky in 2025.

For many fans, the fact that four of those record-setting broadcasts came this season further proved that Clark’s star power has not diminished, despite suggestions from some to the contrary.

“The Caitlin Clark effect is undeniable. It is what it is….” wrote one fan. Apart from the argument surrounding Clark’s popularity, many fans also tied the milestone to the ongoing debate about whether she is the face of the WNBA.

“Another CC/Fever game it always is.. Caitlin still not face of the league though apparently,” one fan wrote. Another echoed a similar sentiment, saying, “But CC ain’t the face of the league 😂😂🙄🙄.”

These comments were clearly a sarcastic reply to NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who argued that Clark isn’t the face of the WNBA. The former NBA champion argued that calling CC the face of the W would be “an insult to an awful lot of great players, starting with A’ja Wilson, who has won three titles and four MVP awards in her first seven years in the WNBA.”

Overall, to say this viewership milestone had a lot to do with Caitlin Clark is not far from the truth. And regardless of what ultimately drove such a massive television audience, it still points to one thing: the WNBA continues to grow. And that’s a positive outcome for the league as a whole.