Caitlin Clark’s five-game absence from the Indiana Fever due to a quadriceps injury caused a notable decline in WNBA TV ratings. During this period, national viewership dropped sharply, illustrating Clark’s significance to the league’s audience engagement.

USA Today reported that league-wide ratings fell by 55% while Clark was sidelined. Televised games featuring the Fever recorded an average of 847,000 viewers, down from 1,810,000 before her injury.

Clark’s Return Drives Record Viewership for Fever’s Win

Clark’s comeback game on Saturday, when she scored a season-high 32 points leading Indiana to a victory over the New York Liberty, sparked a dramatic rebound in interest. ESPN noted that the match was the third most-watched WNBA game ever broadcast on ABC, drawing 2.2 million average viewers and peaking at 2.8 million.

This surge represents a 76% increase over last season’s average audience for WNBA games on ABC. Across ESPN’s platforms, year-to-date viewership in 2025 is up 15% compared to 2024, further highlighting Clark’s influence.

Clark’s Impressive Performance and Season Overview

In her return game, Clark contributed seven three-pointers, eight rebounds, and nine assists in a 102-88 win witnessed by the home crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The former No. 1 overall draft pick is currently averaging 21.6 points, 9.2 assists, and 6.4 rebounds per game while shooting 36.7% from three-point range over five starts this season.

The Indiana Fever remain competitive with a .500 record, holding third place in the Eastern Conference.

Looking Ahead to Upcoming Matchups

The Fever will compete next in a Commissioner’s Cup game against the Connecticut Sun. Indiana enters as a strong 17.5-point favorite for Tuesday night’s contest, with expectations high following Clark’s return to form.