Fever falling as contenders, but bettors aren't wavering
Caitlin Clark is the driving force behind the growing interest in the WNBA. Whether she's unleashing a barrage of threes, delivering a slick no-look pass, or getting involved in a scuffle, the Clark propaganda machine springs into action instantly.
But what happens when injuries, turnovers, and a shooting slump derail the first half of Clark's sophomore season? Crickets.
The basketball phenom has dealt with various injuries throughout the season and has failed to perform like the player sports fans fell in love with. While little criticism is directed her way, the Fever's slide in the standings and on the oddsboard is noticeable.
The Fever still have the third-best odds to capture the title on ESPN BET and theScore Bet, likely due to the volume of bets and money on Indiana propping up its championship price. It was +300 at the end of May and currently sits at +500.
Indiana is tied with three teams for the WNBA's seventh-best record. Another way to look at it: The Fever are tied with three teams for the league's fifth-worst record.
That hasn't stopped the flow of tickets coming in on the Fever, who have received 46% of the handle (money wagered) on the championship market and 35% of the total bets, more than double any other team in each category.
Championship odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| New York Liberty | +155 |
| Minnesota Lynx | +190 |
| Indiana Fever | +500 |
| Phoenix Mercury | +550 |
| Atlanta Dream | +1800 |
| Seattle Storm | +1800 |
| Las Vegas Aces | +2000 |
| Golden State Valkyries | +6600 |
| Washington Mystics | +20000 |
| Los Angeles Sparks | +25000 |
| Dallas Wings | +30000 |
| Chicago Sky | +50000 |
| Connecticut Sun | +50000 |
While the Lynx have the best record and four more wins than the Liberty, the defending champs are still considered the best team. The Lynx and Liberty are likely on a collision course for a Finals rematch. The Mercury are also in the mix with the league's second-best record at 14-6. However, the Mercury would have to defeat the Lynx en route to the Finals, while the Liberty have an easier path in the Eastern Conference.
There's plenty of time for the Fever to turn their disappointing season around. Clark has only played in 10 of their 19 games. Indiana is 5-5 without Clark (including the Commissioner's Cup title game, a Fever win that isn't listed as an official game).
Before she missed five games with a groin injury, Clark had more turnovers (eight) than points (six) while shooting 0-for-6 from three in a June 24 contest. In her return Wednesday, Clark only managed 10 points on 4-for-12 shooting in a 19-point loss to the Valkyries, who entered the game with the same record as the Fever.
The Iowa product has made only three of her last 28 threes, and she has 35 turnovers in her past six games. Before this recent groin injury, Clark missed time with a quad injury. Being unable to stay on the court has disrupted her rhythm and likely led to this season's struggles.
The Fever's other talent has kept them afloat in Clark's absence. Kelsey Mitchell leads Indiana in scoring, averaging nearly 19 points per game. Aliyah Boston averages 16 points and eight boards, while Natasha Howard also averages double figures.
Indiana's roster beyond Clark is stacked - one reason the team remains atop the oddsboard and could easily soar up the standings. This group hasn't shown its championship potential, but it can emerge as a title threat if Clark remains healthy and hits her stride. A whole bunch of bettors are counting on it.
Sam Oshtry is a sports writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.
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