Recreation 1 of the 2026 WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries turned the most-watched Finals opener in league historical past.
The sport averaged 2.1 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, prompting some to credit score Angel Reese whereas others in contrast the numbers to video games that includes Caitlin Clark.
WNBA Followers Credit score Angel Reese, Debate Caitlin Clark’s Impression After Document Finals Opener
The historic viewers revived a well-recognized dialogue about Reese’s and Clark’s respective roles in drawing viewers to the WNBA. Some noticed the numbers as assist for Reese’s previous feedback that the league’s reputation isn’t depending on one participant.
“Angel Reese rn after saying ‘Folks watch due to me too, not one particular person,’ two years in the past,” one X person .
One other viewer challenged the concept that Clark was obligatory to draw a big viewers.
“The Angel Reese impact! They mentioned no person watches the WNBA until Caitlin is taking part in 😂,” the fan d.
Others centered on how the viewers in contrast with earlier broadcasts.
“Agreed. 2.1M is a superb begin for Recreation 1 up in opposition to faculty soccer. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see if the subsequent few video games of the WNBA Finals can attain or beat a few of the higher viewership numbers this season,” columnist e.
Reporter Dan Zaksheske supplied a unique perspective on the viewership figures.
“Recreation 1 of the WNBA Finals averaged 2.1 million viewers, which is a superb quantity for the WNBA. It was the league’s eleventh most-watched recreation this season. All 10 video games forward of it featured the Indiana Fever,” Zaksheske d.
One viewer pushed again in opposition to turning the rankings dialogue into a contest between gamers.
“Sure, there have been different extra watched video games, however that’s removed from the purpose folks. No have to pin totally different girls in opposition to one another and simply watch it or don’t watch. The WNBA is seeing huge jumps of not simply viewership however in expertise. Fan the way you need however don’t let your hate for one thing stop you from seeing the info and reasoning,” the person e.
The Atlantic’s Jemele Hill additionally d with an emoji.
Fever author Robin Lundberg t on rankings. Final yr’s Finals opener between the Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury averaged 1.9 million viewers on ESPN, whereas the four-game collection averaged 1.5 million.
This yr’s opener additionally fell in need of the two.25 million viewers who watched Recreation 3 of the first-round collection between the Aces and Fever.
The Dream and Valkyries entered the Finals in search of their first championships. Atlanta beforehand reached the championship spherical thrice between 2010 and 2013, whereas Golden State made its first look in simply its second season.
Saturday’s opener featured seven lead modifications and 6 ties. Neither crew led by double digits, and the Valkyries got here away with a 68-64 victory.
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Allisha Grey led Atlanta with 19 factors on 5-for-19 taking pictures, together with 1-for-8 from 3-point vary. Reese completed with 14 factors and 12 rebounds however didn’t make a discipline purpose within the second half.
Gabby Williams led Golden State with 26 factors and was the crew’s solely double-digit scorer. Kiah Stokes added 9 factors.
Recreation 3 on Wednesday coincided with an 11-game NBA schedule, giving the Finals extra competitors for viewers.
This text initially appeared on ok.
