In the world of sports, sometimes you just have to give credit where credit is due—even if it's a little tongue-in-cheek. That's exactly what WNBA analyst Chris Williamson did on Monday when he took to social media to jokingly credit Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington for the massive television ratings of Sunday night's game.
NBC Sports announced that the Indiana Fever's blowout win over the Sky attracted more than 3.3 million viewers, making it the most-watched WNBA regular-season game on NBC and Peacock since the league's opening weekend in 1997. The game was also notable for the ejection of former NBA forward Enes Kanter, who was tossed from the contest.
Williamson, clearly having some fun, posted on X: "DiJonai's power !!!!"—a nod to Carrington's influence, real or imagined, on the record-breaking audience. The post quickly went viral, drawing a mix of amused and skeptical reactions from fans.
Some fans were quick to point out that the ratings surge is largely driven by Fever rookie Caitlin Clark, whose presence has transformed the WNBA's viewership landscape. One fan noted that while non-Clark games have seen an upward trend compared to pre-2024 numbers, individual games without Clark still draw standard arena capacities. Another added that when the Fever travel, opposing teams often move to larger NBA-sized arenas to meet demand, with the Fever averaging over 16,000 fans on the road.
Others were less convinced by Williamson's joke, with one fan writing, "Lol, come on man," and another saying, "I thought this has to be a joke, but then saw Chris tweeted it and realised he was probably being serious." A few critics took the opportunity to take shots at Williamson's credibility, but the analyst seemed to take it all in stride.
Regardless of who deserves the credit, the numbers speak for themselves. Sunday's game was a ratings juggernaut, and the WNBA's growing popularity is undeniable. Caitlin Clark's impact on the league's TV ratings is well-documented, and her rivalry with players like Carrington has added an extra layer of intrigue. In fact, Carrington has faced criticism for her on-court antics against Clark, which have only fueled the narrative.
This isn't the first time a player has been playfully credited for the league's surge. Earlier this summer, Sophie Cunningham also claimed her controversy helped boost WNBA popularity. The league is clearly benefiting from increased attention, whether it's from star power or the drama that surrounds it.
As for the game itself, the Fever's dominant performance and Kanter's ejection were the big storylines on the court. Kanter's ejection sparked a heated response online, adding another layer of controversy to an already eventful night.
Whether you believe DiJonai Carrington is the secret sauce behind the WNBA's ratings boom or not, one thing is certain: the league is on an incredible upward trajectory, and fans are tuning in like never before. And if a little playful credit on social media is part of that, so be it.
