Caitlin Clark's injury woes could score win for sportsbooks

Caitlin Clark's ongoing injury issues are weighing on the Indiana Fever star's MVP odds -- and the WNBA's television ratings -- but could contribute to a big win for sportsbooks.

Clark, who was among the preseason MVP favorites, will miss her 12th game of the season as the Fever return from the league's All-Star break on Tuesday night. That includes the Commissioner's Cup final, as Clark has dealt with recurring leg injuries.

The reigning Rookie of the Year now has the fifth-shortest MVP odds at DraftKings, where Clark is being offered at +7000 -- well behind odds-on favorite Napheesa Collier at -700. Clark is +800 at BetMGM, where Collier is the -600 favorite.

While Collier has garnered the second most MVP money wagered with 17 percent, Clark leads the way with 53 percent. Clark also has been backed by 48.2 percent of the total bets placed to Collier's 11.9.

That makes Clark BetMGM's biggest potential "liability," but the heavy support behind Clark is shaping up to be a good result for books.

"Bettors continue to back the Fever to win the WNBA Championship and Caitlin Clark to win MVP. But Clark's injuries have caused her odds to lengthen," BetMGM sports trader Hannah Luther said. "The current MVP favorite, Napheesa Collier, winning the award would be a good outcome for the sportsbook."

With a 12-11 record coming out of the break, the Fever have just the sixth best record in the WNBA. But with Clark expected to return in the near future, Indiana remains +700 at both sportsbooks, behind only the New York Liberty, Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury.

The Fever are the biggest WNBA title liability at BetMGM, where the lead the league with 41.3 percent of all title bets and 59.6 percent of the money wagered. The second biggest liability is the expansion Golden State Valkyries, who have a surprising 10-12 record after entering the season as the biggest title longshots.

"Bettors continue to back the Fever to win the WNBA Championship and Caitlin Clark to win MVP. But Clark's injuries have caused her odds to lengthen. The current MVP favorite, Napheesa Collier, winning the award would be a good outcome for the sportsbook." - Hannah Luther, Sports Trader, BetMGM

2025 WNBA TITLE ODDS (Current, Opening)*

New York Liberty (+170, +190)

Minnesota Lynx (+200, +350)

Phoenix Mercury (+500, +4500)

Indiana Fever (+700, +1300)

Las Vegas Aces (+2000, +350)

Seattle Storm (+2200, +1500)

Atlanta Dream (+2500, +7000)

Golden State Valkyries (+7500, +20000)

Washington Mystics (+20000, +10000)

Los Angeles Sparks (+30000, +12000)

Chicago Sky (+50000, +7500)

Dallas Wings (+50000, +12000)

Connecticut Sun (+100000, +750)

*DraftKings

--Field Level Media