Caitlin Clark vs. Paige Bueckers first WNBA matchup delivers monster viewership for ESPN

The first-ever WNBA meeting between Indiana Fever (11-10) guard Caitlin Clark and Dallas Wings (6-16) guard Paige Bueckers delivered for both the league and ESPN. Indiana’s 102-83 home victory over Dallas on Sunday had an average of 2.1 million viewers.

Viewership peaked at 2.5 million, making it the fourth most-viewed WNBA game ever. From season-to-date, WNBA games across all ESPN platforms are up 7% from last season.

The game itself was even for three of four quarters. Indiana outscored Dallas 36-15 in the second quarter after holding a one-point advantage after the first. Clark finished the game with 14 points, shooting 4-of-12 from the field and 2-of-7 from behind the arc. She added 13 assists, five steals and three rebounds. Clark became the fastest in WNBA history to reach 200 points and 100 points in a single season.

Bueckers was arguably the standout of the entire game in a losing effort. The 2025 No. 1 overall pick scored a game-high 21 points on 9-of-15 from the field and 2-of-4 from three. She tallied four assists and four rebounds.

Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers shine in first WNBA meeting

The two had last met in the 2024 Final Four. Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes defeated Bueckers’ UConn Huskies, 71-69, to advance to the National Championship Game. Clark came out on the winning end once again in this one, though she was highly complimentary of Bueckers after the game.

“Paige just plays way older than she is,” Clark said. “She’s confident. She’s smooth. She does everything at a high-level and [her game] has translated really well — just like everyone knew it would.”

Bueckers returned the favor: “[Clark] is a very smart basketball player. It’s fun anytime we can compete against each other. We’re two competitors who just want to win, who grew up playing against and playing with each other, so it’s great. And the environment is great here.”

Clark and Bueckers will be on opposite sides again in this Saturday’s All-Star Game. Clark, voted one of two team captains, missed out on selecting Bueckers in the draft. Minnesota Lynx (19-4) forward Napheesa Collier selected Bueckers with the No. 8 overall pick.