The Atlanta Dream experienced an extraordinary turnout on Friday night, setting a new franchise record for home game attendance. This historic game, featuring Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, drew over 17,000 fans. Due to the high demand for tickets, the game had to be moved to the larger State Farm Arena, where 17,575 spectators attended.
Despite the impressive turnout, the Dream fell to the Fever, 91-79, bringing their season record to 6-8. Caitlin Clark, a standout rookie for the Indiana Fever, scored 16 points and posted a +13 plus-minus rating, the highest among Indiana’s starters. Clark’s presence on the court is transforming women’s basketball, drawing significant attention and boosting both attendance and TV ratings for the WNBA. The Fever, now 7-10, have been improving, winning six of their last eight games.
The Dream, led by Tina Charles with 24 points, showcased a strong performance despite the loss. They had four players scoring in double digits but struggled with their shooting accuracy, managing only 22 percent from three-point range and 33 percent overall. In contrast, the Fever shot an impressive 56 percent from the field, which was a critical factor in their victory.
Atlanta is hopeful that the surge in fan support will continue. The team, which has been striving for its first WNBA championship, has a solid history with three conference titles, the most recent in 2013. Established in 2008, the franchise is looking to build on its legacy with the backing of its enthusiastic fan base.
The Dream’s next game is against the New York Liberty on Sunday, another home game where they aim to capitalize on the momentum of their record-breaking attendance. After recent losses to the Fever and the Minnesota Lynx, the Dream are eager to bounce back and regain their winning form.
