He Indiana fever They closed the regular season the same way they started it: in record fashion.
When Caitlin Clark made her WNBA debut against the Connecticut Sun in May, the matchup setting the record for the most-watched WNBA game in more than 20 years, with 2.1 million viewers tuning in to see the former Iowa star take center stage.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, #22, signs mini basketballs for fans following a WNBA basketball game against the Dallas Wings in Indianapolis on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
On Thursday night, the Fever set another record in front of a crowd of 20,711 fans, the largest attendance in WNBA history.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
This year's rookie class set a new standard for women's basketball, but Clark led the charge and her teammates recognized the impact she has had on the game.
“It's huge,” NaLyssa Smith said of the crowd that attended Thursday's narrow loss to the Washington Mystics.
“This is what we've been waiting for forever. It's fun to play against these guys.” [crowds]You never get used to that. You always show up and play in front of sold-out crowds. And I want to say, shout out to Caitlin. Shout out to Caitlin, we appreciate her for this.”
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, #22, celebrates after a three-point basket against the Dallas Wings in the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
CAITLIN CLARK'S FIRST SEASON FINAL IS THE HIGHEST-ATTENDED WNBA GAME OF ALL TIME, CLOSING A HISTORIC SEASON
Fever star Kelsey Mitchell echoed that sentiment before the game, adding that Clark's popularity has given way to “casual” fans beginning to appreciate the sport's bigger names.
“I think the reality is that I don't think people would know without… [Caitlin Clark]. So, shout out to Caitlin. That's the reality. I think she's done an amazing job of engaging her own fans and the people who support her.”
Indiana Fever's Kelsey Mitchell, left, shoots over Phoenix Mercury's Natasha Cloud during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Aug. 16, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Clark has certainly changed the landscape of the WNBA, But the landscape of the franchise has also changed. The Fever clinched the sixth seed in the playoffs earlier this month, making their first postseason appearance since 2016.
They will begin their playoff journey with a three-game series against the Sun beginning with Game 1 on Sunday.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on Xand subscribe to The Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
