Fever players credit Caitlin Clark for surge in popularity after WNBA crowd record: 'We appreciate her for that'

THE Indiana Fever They finished the regular season the same way they started it – in record fashion.

When Caitlin Clark made her WNBA debut against the Connecticut Sun in May, the game set the record for the most-watched WNBA game in more than 20 years, with 2.1 million viewers tuning in to see the former Iowa star take center stage.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, #22, signs mini basketballs for fans following a WNBA basketball game against the Dallas Wings in Indianapolis on Sunday, September 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

On Thursday night, the Fever set a new attendance record in front of a crowd of 20,711 fans, the largest attendance in WNBA history.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

This year's recruiting class set a new standard for women's basketball, but Clark led the charge and her teammates recognized the impact she had on the game.

“It’s huge,” NaLyssa Smith said of the crowd that witnessed Thursday’s narrow loss to the The Washington Mystics.

“This is what we have always hoped for. It's fun to play in front of these [crowds]. You never get used to it. We always show up and play to sold-out crowds, and I mean, big thanks to Caitlin. Big thanks to Caitlin, we appreciate her for that.”

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, #22, celebrates after a three-pointer against the Dallas Wings in the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis on Sunday, September 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

CAITLIN CLARK'S FIRST SEASON FINALE IS THE HIGHEST-ATTENDED WNBA GAME EVER, CAPPING A HISTORIC SEASON

Fever star Kelsey Mitchell echoed that sentiment before the game, adding that Clark's popularity has allowed “casual” fans to start appreciating the sport's bigger names.

“I think the reality is I don't think people would know without [Caitlin Clark]. So, a big thank you to Caitlin. That's just the reality. I think she's done an incredible job of obviously attracting her own fans and people who support her.

Indiana Fever's Kelsey Mitchell, left, shoots over Phoenix Mercury's Natasha Cloud during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on August 16, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Clark has undoubtedly changed the landscape of the WNBA, But it also changed the landscape of the franchise. The Fever clinched the sixth seed in the playoffs earlier this month, making their first postseason appearance since 2016.

They begin their playoff run with a three-game series against the Sun, starting with Game 1 on Sunday.

Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage on Xand subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.