Angel Reese enjoys the sellout in Atlanta: Why do some fans attribute it to Caitlin Clark?

Angel Reese and Atlanta Dream played in front of 17,099 spectators this Wednesday, October 21, at State Farm Arena, with tickets sold out for Game 3 of the WNBA Finals. The change of venue made it possible to welcome a much larger crowd than Gateway Center Arena, the team's usual home court, which has a capacity of about 3,500 people.

The sellout also sparked a discussion on social media. The Shadow League gathered comments from some Caitlin Clark supporters who attributed part of that turnout to the interest the Indiana player has generated around the competition. Those reactions questioned the prominence given to Reese, although they did not provide data on the reasons why attendees had bought their tickets.

Atlanta sellout fuels comparison between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark

As MARCA already reported, Reese finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds in the 97-71 win over the Golden State Valkyries, which left the Dream with a 2-1 lead in the series. The forward recorded her third consecutive double-double in these Finals, after posting 30 points and 16 rebounds in the second game.

After the win, the player thanked the support she received from the stands. “Our fans were there for every possession,” she said before asking for that atmosphere to be repeated at the next home game: “On Saturday, they have to do it again”.

The discussion about her drawing power had begun before the game. On her program, Linda Cohn acknowledged Reese's popularity, but questioned whether prices listed on resale platforms were enough to equate her commercial impact with Clark's. She also noted that fans were buying tickets to watch the Dream compete for their first championship, with other stars such as Rhyne Howard, Jordin Canada, and Allisha Gray.

Among the reactions compiled by The Shadow League, one user wrote: “The Caitlin Clark effect works even when she doesn’t play”. Another added: “You can thank CC, Sophie and Lexie”, referring to Clark, Sophie Cunningham and Lexie Hull. The comments come from fans, not from statements by the Indiana players.

The crowd response at State Farm Arena did not begin with these Finals either. According to Front Office Sports, Atlanta played six regular-season games there and sold out five of them. For the title series, the entire arena was opened, unlike the first rounds of the playoffs, when mainly the lower bowl and a small section of the upper level were opened.

The fourth game will be played on Saturday, October 24, once again at State Farm Arena. Atlanta needs two more wins to capture the first championship in its history in a best-of-seven series.