Mercury Game Vs. Caitlin Clark, Fever Reaches Record Not Seen Since 1997

There is no denying that Indiana Fever star rookie Caitlin Clark is the single biggest draw in the WNBA these days.

Wherever Clark plays, expect that arena to be packed. That was exactly the case on Sunday when Clark and the Fever went up against Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury in a marquee showdown at Footprint Center.

There was a lot of hype for this matchup, thanks in large part to a “reality is coming” comment made by Taurasi about Clark back in April.

According to 'Across The Timeline', the total count of 17,071 people who attended the Fever-Mercury game was the highest in a regular-season contest in nearly three decades.

Phoenix Mercury attendance today listed as 17,071.

That's their best regular season attendance since their inaugural season (17,747 vs LA on August 24, 1997).

It's their 3rd best home attendance overall.

Aug 24, 1997 (Reg) vs LA - 17,747

Oct 9, 2009 (Finals) vs IND - 17,313

As for the game itself, the Fever scored an 88-82 upset victory over the Mercury.

Sep 9, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) and guard Diana Taurasi (3) against the Chicago Sky during game two of the WNBA Finals at US Airways Center. The Mercury defeated the Sky 97-68. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Clark scored 15 points on 4/14 shooting from the field and went just 2/10 from deep, but she was able to dish out 12 assists and grab nine rebounds while posting a plus-3 in 39 minutes of action.

Taurasi, on the other hand, had 19 points on 5/14 shooting to go with three assists, three rebounds, and three steals in 32 minutes.