The finale of the 2024 WNBA regular season was certainly something.
The game between the Indiana Fever and the Washington Mystics drew 20,711 fans at the Capital One Arena.
But where does it figure in WNBA history? Let's look back at a few games.
Attendance: 20,333
Indiana Fever vs Washington Mystics | June 7, 2024
The interest in Iowa Hawkeyes superstar Caitlin Clark was undeniable.
The Washington Mystics had to move to the Capital One Arena due to the demand, leading to a sold-out crowd of 20,333. It was the highest attendance in a WNBA game since 2007.
Clark erupted for 30 points in that game, making eight of 15 field goals, along with eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals. The Fever won that game by a hair, 85-83.
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever drew a sellout crowd of 20,333 fans for tonight’s game against the Washington Mystics — the WNBA’s most attended game in 17 years.
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) June 8, 2024
These teams have a combined record of 3-20 & it’s the first-ever $1 million-plus gate for the Mystics.
Crazy! pic.twitter.com/SEf12R06Sh
Attendance: 20,674
Utah Starzz vs Washington Mystics | June 19, 1998
The Mystics made their home debut at MCI Center (now known as Capital One Arena) in roaring fashion, beating the Utah Starzz with a score of 85-76.
At the time, it was the largest crowd observed in professional basketball, according to The Baltimore Sun, breaking the previous tally of 18,937 back in 1997.
Nikki McCray dropped 29 points for Washington's first win of the season, after going 0-3.
Washington Mystics vs Charlotte Sting | June 10, 1999
The 1999 WNBA season opener drew 20,674 fans, according to The New York Times.
They saw top draft pick Chamique Holdsclaw make her WNBA debut with 18 points and six rebounds for host Washington. But Dawn Staley upstaged her with 23 points to help Sting beat the Mystics, 83-73.
Cleveland Rockers vs Washington Mystics | July 21, 1999
The Mystics drew the same number of people just over a month later at the MCI Center.
The now-defunct Rockers gained the upper hand in that game, 85-68, against the hosts.
Eva Nemcova made 19 points for Cleveland, putting Holdsclaw's 23 markers for naught.
Attendance: 20,366
Indiana Fever vs Las Vegas Aces | July 2, 2024
It was not until this year that the WNBA saw higher numbers. The Fever vs Aces game at the T-Mobile Arena drew 20,366 fans.
The tally set a new franchise record for the Aces, and became the highest crowd attendance for the WNBA since 1999--that's 25 years.
The Aces beat the Fever, 88-69. Kelsey Plum dropped a whopping 24 points from 11-20 field goal shooting, added by Aja Wilson's 28. Kelsey Mitchell had 23 for Indiana, while Clark made 13.
The attendance for Fever vs. Aces: 20,366
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 3, 2024
The most for any Aces game ever and FIFTH-largest attendance in WNBA regular season history 📈 pic.twitter.com/cjJdEZIYJ4
Attendance: 20,711
Indiana Fever vs Washington Mystics | September 19, 2024
From 2019, the Mystics had moved to the Entertainment & Sports Arena, which has a seating capacity of 4,200.
For this 2024 WNBA regular season finale, the Mystics returned to the Capital One Arena. The game drew a record crowd of 20,711.
That is the largest ever for the WNBA in a regular season game.
The Mystics made sure to own the night this time--beating the Fever by the hair in turn, 92-91.
Sika Kone delivered 20 points for Washington. Kristy Wallace made 17 for Indiana, while Clark was forced to just eight.
It wasn't enough though for the Mystics to reach the playoffs with a record of 14-26 at ninth place. Meanwhile, the Fever secure sixth seed (20-20) and will take on the number three Connecticut Sun.
WNBA history 👏
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 20, 2024
Fever-Mystics break the record for largest attended game with 20,711 fans tonight 🏀
(via @WashMystics)pic.twitter.com/vWrYlSbDxY
But there's actually one more crowd attendance record that's waiting to be broken. Well, two.
Attendance: 22,076
Los Angeles Sparks vs Detroit Shock | September 16, 2003
The 2003 WNBA finals were tied with the Sparks and the Shock picking up one game a-piece.
In Game 3, the Palace of Auburn Hills drew a crowd of 22,076. Befitting their moniker, the Detroit Shock stun two-time the defending champions, 83-78.
Ruth Riley delivered a career-high 27 points from 11 of 19 field goals, outhustling Mwadi Mabika, who had 29 for the Sparks.
On this day, 17 years ago, (September 16, 2003) Coach Bill Laimbeer and the Detroit Shock won their first WNBA title in front of a sell-out crowd of 22,076.
— Made for the W (@madeforthew) September 16, 2020
?#MadefortheW | @LVAces pic.twitter.com/ysxwBYExVS
Phoenix Mercury vs Detroit Shock | September 16, 2007
The Detroit crowd repeated the feat in Game 5 of the 2007 WNBA finals at the same venue.
But there would be no repeat celebration, as the Mercury became the first team in the WNBA to win on the road, 108-92.
Penny Taylor dropped a pretty 30 points for Phoenix, while Deanna Nolan had 27 for Detroit.
Will the 2024 playoffs break this record? With the way these players are going, it's highly likely that they will.
THE STAGE IS SET 🏆
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 20, 2024
8 Teams. But there can only be 1 winner.
Leave your predictions on who you have being crowned the 2024 WNBA Champs pic.twitter.com/tokyphqKyi
