LAS VEGAS (AP) — The opening game of the WNBA Finals was the most watched Game 1 since the league's inaugural season.

An average of 1.9 million viewers watched Las Vegas edge Phoenix 89-86 on Friday night, according to ESPN. That was up 62% from last season's matchup of New York and Minnesota.

The game peaked with 2.5 million viewers.

Only the 1997 championship, which was a winner-take-all Game 1 had more people watching.

Game 2 ratings weren't yet available.

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

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