WNBA betting storylines: Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever still popular, Bueckers clear ROY favorite - ESPN

After a dazzling first season that saw her win Rookie of the Year honors and elevate WNBA betting interest to new levels, Caitlin Clark's second campaign has been largely derailed by injuries, much to the chagrin of the Indiana Fever, and to bettors who backed her and want to continue backing her in the betting markets.

After not missing a game during her four years at Iowa and her rookie season in the W, Clark has missed 11 contests this year, including the Commissioner's Cup final, which the Fever managed to win without her. ESPN reported that WNBA betting was down as much as 50% with Clark on the bench during her first extended absence in May. More recently, BetMGM told ESPN that it has seen 39% fewer tickets and 32% less handle in Fever games this season when Clark doesn't play.

Clark's absence most immediately impacts the MVP futures market, where she was easily the most backed player at the beginning of the season; ESPN BET reported upward of 63% of the bets and handle on her to win the league's highest individual honor. Clark entered the season as the +200 favorite and was briefly odds-on at -115, but then consistently lengthened due to injuries all the way to +3300, fourth on the board.

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, meanwhile, was the second-most backed by bets (13.7%) and handle (22.1%) at ESPN BET and has rewarded those who took the chance on her +300 preseason odds, jumping out to a commanding -550 odds lead coming out of the All-Star break. DraftKings now reports Collier as its most-backed pick by wagers (47%).

The only player who can seemingly challenge Collier for MVP at this point is Alyssa Thomas, who has been resurgent in her first campaign with the Phoenix Mercury. ESPN BET gave Thomas +4000