The basketball world is abuzz with Sabrina Ionescu’s jaw-dropping game-winner shot. In Game 3 of the WNBA Finals, she made a 28-foot three-pointer, leaving just one second on the clock, etching her name into the record books. For many, the No. 20 made a loud statement with that shot, silencing critics in the process for snubbing her from the First Team All-WNBA honors. However, according to this veteran analyst, part of the glory surrounding the guard’s incredible moment might belong to someone else—Caitlin Clark.

Jason Whitlock made this comment in a recent episode on his channel where he discussed the Liberty’s dramatic comeback. “That was a really good game. The Liberty came back from a 15-point deficit, and Sabrina Ionescu hit a Logo-3,” Whitlock said. He then went on to compare Ionescu’s shot to Michael Jordan’s iconic dagger over Craig Ehlo in 1989, stating, “It’s similar, though she’s not the same player as Jordan.”

However, while he gave credit to Ionescu, Whitlock explained why this moment carries extra weight in the WNBA now. “There have been no moments in the WNBA that have ever mattered because no one was watching. That was a tree falling in the wood. And so everything that happens in 2024,  it has a heightened importance. Because of what Caitlin Clark has done, there’s now eyeballs and attention,” he added in the video.

Sabrina Ionescu has certainly had her share of big moments, but Whitlock’s take positions Clark as the catalyst for the broader attention. He explained, that the excitement around the WNBA right now wouldn’t exist at this level without Caitlin Clark’s influence. Hence, let us go back to the what exactly the first-overall pick has brought to the professional women’s basketball team.

Clark’s Influence on WNBA Viewership Growth

The comparison might raise eyebrows, but Whitlock isn’t entirely wrong. Case in point, take a look at the 2024 WNBA season which has drawn unprecedented attention in the last 24 years. In fact, for the first time in years, ABC’s presentation of the 2024 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game has delivered a record-breaking 3.4 million viewers, compared to 0.84 million viewers from last year which is an increase of 305 percent.

If that’s not enough, WNBA’s 22 regular-season games have averaged at least 1 million viewers ever since Caitlin Clark joined the league. In fact, the Indiana Fever recorded a season-high of 2.5 million viewers for their playoff game against the Connecticut Sun, highlighting the undeniable impact Clark has had on the league.

2024 has been a record-breaking year for the WNBA in many ways. The league delivered its most-watched regular season in 24 years, and also achieved its highest attendance in 22 years, and set new records for digital consumption and merchandise sales. In fact according to the league’s official website, in 2024, the WNBA attracted over 54 million unique viewers across networks like ABC, ESPN, and CBS, with fans consuming a record 136.29 million hours of content.

Clark’s influence has certainly played a role, but the league’s overall success is a testament to its growing appeal and the caliber of its athletes.

Hence, it’s important not to downplay the impact of Sabrina Ionescu’s remarkable game-winning shot. While the increased viewership may make moments like these more noticeable, it takes true skill and composure to deliver under pressure.

Therefore, Ionescu’s clutch Logo-3 was a unique feat, worthy of respect. Just as iconic shots from the likes of Michael Jordan, Stephen Curry, or her friend Kobe Bryant are immortalized, this historic shot by Liberty’s No. 20 deserves the same level of respect and recognition.