Final Sky-Fever game of regular season is the hottest ticket in WNBA as demand soars
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Caitlin Clark show makes its second and final stop in Chicago this season, as fellow rookie star Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky host the Indiana Fever.
Friday night's matchup between the WNBA's top two rookies is leading to another surge in ticket sales, making it the highest-demand WNBA game of the season.
Ticketing technology company Logitix said the average ticket price for the game is $385.71, by far the highest price for WNBA game this season as fans flock to see stars Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark face off on the court again.
That tops the $280.43 average ticket price the last time the Sky and Fever faced off in June.
All five of the top WNBA average ticket prices this season have been games featuring either the Sky and/or the Fever, according to Logitix.
Another sellout crowd will be a part of WNBA history for the team's inaugural Barbie night. The first 2,000 fans will get either a belt bag or Hawaiian shirt.
The excitement is very real at Wintrust Arena, where seats were draped in pink Barbie rally towels that say "You can be anything" for the final regular season game between the Sky and Fever.
It's a critical game for both teams as they try to make a playoff push
Like Reese's and Clark's rookie seasons, each of the three other meetings between the Sky and Fever this season have lived up the hype, being decided by a combined 10 points.
The Fever are in 7th place. The Sky are in 8th place, currently holding the final playoff spot with 10 games to go, setting up Friday to be an emotional night, but the Sky are headed into it feeling composed.
"It's just about being ready. It's all about being ready and what comes along with being ready. That's the most important thing. We understand the magnitude of every game we play, and that's the most important thing. Our energy, our effort, our celebrations for each other is going to be important," head coach Teresa Weatherspoon said.
Sky guard Lindsay Allen said the team is focused on Friday's game.
"We're not thinking about the big picture. Obviously, that's in the back of our minds, but we're focused on winning this game, and then we'll move on to the next game. We're just focusing on Indiana, and what we can do to beat them tonight," Sky guard Lindsay Allen said.
The Sky are trying to snap a four-game skid against a Fever team that's gone 4-1 to start the second half of the season. Leading scorer Chennedy Carter is out for a second straight game due to health and safety protocols.
Setting the tone early against a Fever offense that's been hot will be key to avoiding another close game down the stretch.
"They're playing extremely well. We have to be a very disciplined basketball team, especially defensively. We have to be in all the right places at the right times, and knowing what our schemes are, and being about those schemes for 40 minutes," Weatherspoon said.
Sisters surprised with Sky-Fever tickets
For two sisters whose dream has been to see Reese play in person, their dream comes true Friday night.
Jade and Joy Lee, 12 and 11, set up a lemonade stand in Roseland on Tuesday to try to raise $700 to buy tickets for Friday night's game.
Now they have even more tickets.
The Sky's new mascot, Skye the Lioness, paid them a visit, and made a special delivery, surprising them with tickets to the big game.
On Tuesday, philanthropist Early Walker gave Joy and Jade $2,000 for tickets, along with a limousine ride to and from the game, and dinner at a restaurant.
When Friday night came around, the sisters arrived at the game in stylish pink in honor of the Barbie Night promotion.