Caitlin Clark made her highly anticipated WNBA regular-season debut, arriving at the arena in all black and flashing a smile two hours before tipoff. While all eyes were on Clark, it was her former Iowa teammate Kate Martin who caught the attention of sportsbooks, with odds favoring her to win the first championship ring.
Despite the hype surrounding Clark, the betting odds for her to win Rookie of the Year were not in her favor, with Angel Reese having much higher odds. However, there was a shift in the championship odds, with heavy money on the Fever causing their odds to improve.
The Connecticut Sun are gearing up to face Clark with a “super aggressive” defense, aiming to limit her impact on the game. DiJonai Carrington is expected to take on the primary defensive assignment, focusing on making Clark work hard for every point.
The anticipation for Clark’s debut was evident as the game was sold out, marking the first sellout of a season opener for the Sun since their inaugural game in 2003. With the preseason behind her, Clark is now ready to showcase her skills in the WNBA and potentially earn a spot on the U.S. women’s basketball team for the Olympics in July.
As the WNBA continues to gain momentum, the league is making strides to improve travel conditions for its teams, including charter flights for players. This development has been well-received by players who have long advocated for better travel accommodations.