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Connecticut Solar guard DiJonai Carrington (21) fouls Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) through the third quarter of a WNBA basketball sport, Tuesday, Might 14, 2024, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photograph/Jessica Hill)
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark speaks throughout a convention after the group’s WNBA basketball sport towards the Connecticut Solar, Tuesday, Might 14, 2024, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photograph/Jessica Hill)
Connecticut Solar guard DiJonai Carrington (21) fouls Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) through the third quarter of a WNBA basketball sport, Tuesday, Might 14, 2024, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photograph/Jessica Hill)
Connecticut Solar guard DiJonai Carrington (21) fouls Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) through the third quarter of a WNBA basketball sport, Tuesday, Might 14, 2024, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photograph/Jessica Hill)
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark speaks throughout a convention after the group’s WNBA basketball sport towards the Connecticut Solar, Tuesday, Might 14, 2024, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photograph/Jessica Hill)
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark speaks throughout a convention after the group’s WNBA basketball sport towards the Connecticut Solar, Tuesday, Might 14, 2024, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photograph/Jessica Hill)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Caitlin Clark’s much-anticipated WNBA debut produced file betting, far bigger than the sum of money wagered on final 12 months’s clinching sport for the league championship.
Betting was six instances greater at Caesars Sportsbook on the Indiana Fever’s 92-71 loss to the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday night time than Sport 4 of the Las Vegas Aces’ victory over the New York Liberty final season.
Clark’s first regular-season sport for the Fever additionally was the most-bet sport at Caesars over any WNBA sport final season.
Wagering on that sport helped propel betting on the league total, with the variety of tickets up 516% at Caesars over final 12 months’s opening night time and the sum of money up 84%.
“With the massive inflow of expertise on this 12 months’s WNBA draft including to an already loaded wealth of veteran gamers, this 12 months’s WNBA deal with will eclipse something now we have seen earlier than,” mentioned Craig Mucklow, Caesars vp of buying and selling. “We anticipate information to be damaged on a weekly foundation and much more so when the NBA Finals are over and the ladies’s sport will get extra prime-time TV spots.”
The Fever-Solar sport additionally was the most-bet WNBA sport ever at BetMGM Sportsbook, although particular numbers weren’t instantly accessible.
Clark’s over/below of 20.5 factors was the most-bet proposition wager at that sportsbook within the WNBA and NBA. She scored 20 factors, overcoming a gradual begin that included 10 turnovers for the sport.
Clark was the second-most in style choice amongst women and men over the previous week on the fantasy web site PrizePicks. Solely the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards was forward of Clark, placing her forward of such gamers as Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jayson Tatum.
The variety of picks on the location for all WNBA video games was 185% greater than final 12 months’s opening night time.
Clark has been anticipated to elevate the WNBA to new heights, just like what she did over the previous two years in main Iowa to the nationwide championship sport in back-to-back seasons. Her model was an enormous a part of the elevated curiosity in ladies’s basketball, with Clark prepared to often shoot from the midcourt brand as she grew to become the NCAA’s Division I all-time scoring chief in her 4 years with the Hawkeyes.
The Fever chosen her with the No. 1 total decide this 12 months, however Indiana stays in rebuilding mode even with Clark and reigning WNBA Rookie of the Yr Aliyah Boston. The Solar performed within the WNBA Finals simply two seasons in the past, losing in four games to the Aces. They made the semifinals final season earlier than shedding in 4 video games to the Liberty.
“Dissatisfied and no one likes to lose, that’s how it’s,” Clark mentioned after the loss to the Solar. “Can’t beat your self up an excessive amount of about one sport.”
AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
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