Caitlin Clark’s impact is impossible to ignore. During the 2024 regular season, games featuring her drew an average of 1.2 million viewers–199% higher than those without her. TV viewership skyrocketed by 300%, and an eye-popping 45% of the league’s total broadcast value came from Fever games alone. Across ABC, CBS, ESPN, ESPN2, ION, and NBA TV, the WNBA reached a historic milestone: more than 54 million unique viewers tuned in to watch the league.

So, when Clark kept missing games after games and was finally announced to be out for the season, many thought the viewership numbers would dip this season, especially during the playoffs. But that hasn’t happened. In fact, the WNBA playoffs have shattered several records–many of them still tied to the Indiana Fever’s remarkable run.

According to Sports Media Watch, Tuesday’s Fever-Aces WNBA semifinal Game 2 drew an average of 1.7 million viewers on ESPN–the largest second-round playoff audience since Comets-Sparks Game 2 on NBC in the 2000 Western Conference Finals, and the third-largest overall. It also surpassed Game 1 of the series on ABC, which had drawn 1.4 million viewers. And that’s not all!

Even without Caitlin Clark on the floor, the Fever are commanding attention. Their games have accounted for the three largest audiences of this year’s playoffs, with their opening-round Game 2 victory over the Dream drawing over 1.5 million viewers and ranking third overall.

It’s no surprise that the Fever are leading the viewership charts even without Caitlin Clark. Everyone loves a Cinderella story, and this season, the Fever are just that. Despite losing five players to season-ending injuries and star free-agent acquisition DeWanna Bonner to the Mercury, Indiana has defied the odds to reach the semifinals–an inspiring run that has naturally piqued the interest of fans.

That said, the league is still feeling Clark’s absence. This year’s second-round viewership still falls short of last year’s opening-round Fever games, which featured a healthy Clark and drew panel-only audiences of 1.8 and 2.5 million. First-round numbers were down 15%, averaging 943,000 viewers–still the second-most watched ever on ESPN networks.

Even with Clark sidelined, the postseason has actually seen a 2% bump from last year, hitting an average of one million viewers. Much of that can be chalked up to the new playoff format and the Indiana Fever’s surprise run to the semifinals. And amidst, someone, for sure, is feeling Clark’s absence.

The Indiana Fever lost again

Remember the graphic about Stephanie White, highlighting her 0-3 record in a five-game series after taking Game 1? Well, she’s now one loss away from making it 0-4. The Fever dropped Game 2 to the Aces… at home. Not exactly what you’d expect from a team that shocked everyone with their Game 1 victory.

Even though A’ja Wilson managed just 13 points on 6-of-20 shooting–her lowest point total in these playoffs–her defense, paired with former Fever star NaLyssa Smith, became the Aces’ saving grace. According to ESPN Research, Wilson and Smith combined to limit the Fever to just 4-of-22 shooting (18%) when either contested a shot. Indiana went 3-of-10 against Smith and 1-of-12 against Wilson, showing just how dominant the duo was on the defensive end.

The viewership numbers for Game 3 might very well hit new highs, but what good is that to a Fever team teetering on the brink of elimination? Imagine going out in front of your home crowd–that’s a scenario no team wants. For Indiana, it’s time to tighten up their defense, sharpen their shooting, and try to push this series to a decider, just like they did against Atlanta in Round 1.

Can the Fever pull it off? Will they rise to the occasion in front of their home fans? Share your thoughts in the comments below!