Indiana Fever

SOURCE SPORTS: Fans Betting Big on Indiana Fever’s Surging Season

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Caitlin Clark is 'Excited' for Women's Olympic Basketball Despite Not Making Team USA

Sports fans are rallying behind the Indiana Fever like never before, with BetUS.com reporting a significant surge in bets on the Fever to surpass 17.5 regular-season wins. The line, which went live today, has drawn heavy interest, with over 85% of bets placed on the ‘Over’ at -135 odds.

BetUS.com, the original online sportsbook now in its 31st year, attributes this betting frenzy to the Fever’s impressive turnaround this season. The team is enjoying its most successful run since 2016, with playoff hopes alive for the first time since the Tamika Catchings era. Fans and bettors are showing confidence in the Fever’s young core, led by standout rookie Caitlin Clark and seasoned guard Kelsey Mitchell.

“We’ve been amazed by the overwhelming support for the Fever to break through this season,” said Tim Williams, Director of Public Relations for BetUS. “Bettors are clearly buying into the Fever’s potential to make the playoffs, and the team’s recent performance has only added to that excitement. Given their favorable schedule and growing confidence on the court, it’s no surprise the public is backing them to hit the Over.”

As the Fever’s momentum builds, their path to the playoffs looks increasingly promising, bolstered by key tiebreakers and a favorable schedule. For those eager to join the Fever’s hot streak, BetUS.com offers the chance to back Indiana’s rise.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Angel Reese Drops 25 Points and 16 Rebounds to Lead Sky Over Caitlin Clark and Fever

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Angel Reese Drops 25 Points and 16 Rebounds to Lead Sky Over Caitlin Clark and Fever

Angel Reese scored 10 of her game-high 25 points during Chicago’s 18-5 run to close the game, leading the Sky to an 88-87 victory over the Fever on Sunday.

Reese, who notched a career-high 25 points and 16 rebounds, extended her rookie-record streak by posting her eighth straight double-double. This achievement places her in an elite company, and she joined Candace Parker and Sylvia Fowles as the only WNBA players to accomplish this feat.

Caitlin Clark also made headlines, scoring 17 points and setting a franchise record with 13 assists. She became the 10th player and the first rookie in WNBA history to achieve a 17/13 game. Clark’s exceptional playmaking was pivotal in Chicago’s comeback, keeping the team’s offense dynamic and effective.

The Sky’s late-game heroics overshadowed a strong performance from the Fever, who led for much of the game. However, Reese’s dominance on both ends of the court and Clark’s playmaking ensured that Chicago clinched the win dramatically.

This victory boosts the Sky’s playoff hopes, highlighting the impact of their rookie stars. With Reese and Clark setting records and leading by example, Chicago’s future looks promising as they compete in the tightly contested WNBA season.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Angel Reese Drops 25 Points and 16 Rebounds to Lead Sky Over Caitlin Clark and Fever first appeared on The Source.

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Caitlin Clark Supporters Have Officially Forgotten What Sports Are All About

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The Caitlin Clark discourse continues to be a hot-button issue in the sports world. Caitlin was drafted no. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever and had massive expectations placed on her. Her introduction into the WNBA, where she has shown flashes of offensive greatness but has ultimately struggled, has brought out the worst of the media’s coverage and fans’ engagement of the sport. Almost immediately, the discussion became toxic. Fans and media personalities have criticized how Clark has been treated in the WNBA. Clark is a rookie who just finished her college season a couple of months ago. The WNBA is a physical and competitive league full of grown women.

Clark’s fans expected her to pick up where she left off in college. People familiar with the league would say it is a rough transition, and it has been a rough transition for Caitlin Clark. But, the same arguments are being brought up. Fans and media are saying the other players are jealous of Clark. That they should ease up, even saying they should let her win. Her exclusion from the Team USA women’s basketball team has sparked even more debate. Her supporters argue she should be on the team for marketing reasons so that the women’s game can grow. The idea that she should have special treatment just because of her popularity and the eyes she brings to the game is valid. However, it is ultimately against the very idea of how sports fundamentally have worked. The decision-makers for USA basketball have put merit over the potential eyeball.

Read More: Caitlin Clark Breaks Silence On Olympics Snub: “It Gives Me Something To Work For”

Caitlin Clark’s Special Treatment Is Anti-Sports

Sports have long been, at least on the outside, a place of meritocracy. Athletes have to earn their spot and overcome challenges to become successful. Much of the Catilin Clark talk comes down to fans and media personalities wanting to push her to the front of the line instead of simply following her journey. The journey great athletes go on is what endears them to us and makes them truly great. It pays off to a story about an individual you have witnessed from beginning to end. When fans and media try to skip those steps in the name of marketing and “growing” the game, it not only robs us of an incredible story but also robs Caitlin Clark of her own experiences.

Clark is a competitor at the end of the day. She wants to compete at the highest level. It doesn’t matter if she is fouled hard or targeted (something that happens to rookies). The argument that Clark should be given this special treatment is an insult to her and goes against what sports has always been about. Michael Jordan failed for years and was broken down by the Detroit Pistons until what? He overcame the obstacle in front of him and became undeniable. If Caitlin Clark is so great, why not let her carve her story out and see if she can reach the lofty heights everyone expects? The bumps in the road are supposed to make us care about the journey and the person we are following, not lobby for the road to be paved and smoothed out specifically for her.   

Read More: Plies Asks Caitlin Clark Fans An Important Question

The Caitlin Clark Argument Comes Down To Marketing Vs Merits

The argument against just letting Caitlin play everything out and earn her way to her stardom is one of marketing. ESPN personalities Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe are firmly in the follow-the-money camp. They have routinely said that merit doesn’t matter when it comes to Caitlin Clark. Worse, they preach to various women on ESPN that if they want the game to grow, then Clark needs special treatment. This line of thinking is especially prevalent when discussing Clark being left off of Team USA for the Olympics. Her supporters say that even though she doesn’t deserve a spot and isn’t ready for that level of basketball, she should have a spot on the team because of the potential eyeballs she will bring that will make everyone a lot of money, and so on.

It’s undeniable that there may be some uptick in interest in women’s Olympic basketball if Caitlin Clark is on the team. Would it have been wise to include her in the marketing possibilities? Yes, it would have. Does she deserve a spot based on her ability? Absolutely not. The decision not to include Clark isn’t a diss to her, but Team USA is sticking to the mission at hand and assembling the best team they possibly could. In four years, Caitlin Clark will be more than deserving of a spot on the team. But she hasn’t earned it yet. You cannot blame the WNBA or Team USA for throwing away the competitive nature of the sport. Clark herself is OK with the decision. She will do what a competitor does, get in the lab, and work to make the team the next time.

Read More: Stephen A. Smith Goes Off On Peter Rosenberg In Unhinged Rant After Caitlin Clark Criticism

Is The Game Really Being Grown?

Caitlin Clark has brought a ton of eyes to the WNBA on the surface, but is she growing the game? The “we want it now” nature of the discourse around her means there really isn’t any patience from fans or media regarding her impact. There is a feeling that she isn’t bringing new fans to the WNBA, but new fans that solely follow her and are interested in her for good and bad reasons. Her popularity should be an organic force of growth, not a toxic flood of people who don’t really want the actual basketball. The most prominent voices that have hopped on the WNBA train, Stephen A. Smith, and Shannon Sharpe, are clearly not interested in the basketball being played. If that’s Clark’s fans’ attitude, then there won’t be any meaningful growth for the league; it’ll just be for her.

The WNBA has a talented crop of rookies that have come in with Caitlin Clark. Angel Reese, Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson, and Aaliyah Edwards, to name a few, have all taken the league by storm and are promising in their own right. Combined with the already cemented stars, like A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, and Breanna Stewart, the league is in a good place to grow into something special. It’s not going to get there if it rests solely on one Caitlin Clark’s shoulders, and it’s unfair to put the success of an entire sports league on her.

Read More: Stephen A. Smith And Andraya Carter Get Into Heated Debate About Caitlin Clark Being Snubbed From The Olympic Team

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Pat McAfee Reveals How Caitlin Clark Responded To His Apology

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Pat McAfee has been a controversial figure over at ESPN. Overall, everyone knows that he doesn’t fit the typical ESPN mold. Instead, he is a loud former NFL punter who used to run with the boys over at Barstool. Shows like First Take, Get Up! and NFL Live have real journalists on their programs. However, McAfee is all about the frat boy commentary. Having said that, it should come as no surprise that he thought he was making a good point by calling Caitlin Clark a “White B*tch” on live TV.

Of course, the context here is that he was speaking from the perspective of the rest of the WNBA. His comments are already crass, but when you realize the context, his comments are even worse. Ultimately, McAfee is not the guy to be speaking on race relations and how the intersectionality of women’s basketball. Having said all of that, he is smart enough to know that his comments yesterday required an apology.

Read More: Pat McAfee Tries To Squash Feud Between Aaron Rodgers And Jimmy Kimmel

Pat McAfee Apologizes For His Comments

On his show today, McAfee revealed that he reached out to Clark and the Indiana Fever. He noted that he apologized for his comments and that the team told him it was “all good.” From there, McAfee said that Clark apparently appreciated his reach out. Although it was ambiguous as to whether or not they spoke directly. It is a tepid response from the Fever, however, given what was said and the ensuing discourse, it’s not surprising. It’s clear Clark just wants to play basketball and move on.

Let us know how you felt about this situation, in the comments section down below. Do you feel as though McAfee was doing too much in this instance? Would you have been as forgiving if you were in Caitlin Clark and these comments were made about yourself? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.

Read More: Aaron Rodgers No Longer Appearing On “The Pat McAfee Show” This Season

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Draymond Green Shares Advice For Caitlin Clark & Indiana Fever After Hard Fouls: “Invest In An Enforcer”

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Draymond Green says the Indiana Fever need an “enforcer” on the roster after Chennedy Carter committed a hard foul on Caitlin Clark during the team’s win over the Chicago Sky on Saturday. Video of the foul, as well as Angel Reese’s excited reaction, have been going viral on social media. The incident came towards the end of the third quarter, with Carter shoving Clark to the ground during an inbounds play.

When asked about the move afterward, Carter declined to answer and responded with “next question.” Later, an account on Instagram shared the remarks which prompted a response from Green. “Indiana better go invest in an enforcer… FAST!” The Golden State Warriors star wrote in the comments section.

Read More: Angel Reese Cheers As Teammate Shoves Caitlin Clark To The Ground

Caitlin Clark Faces A Double Team From The Chicago Sky

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JUNE 01: Marina Mabrey #4 of the Chicago Sky defends Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever during the third quarter in the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 01, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

While Draymond Green is often seen as the enforcer for the Warriors, the role has landed him in trouble with the league on several occasions. After several ejections, the NBA hit Green with an indefinite suspension last season which led to him not seeing the court for 12 games. Since the Warriors were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs after losing to the Sacramento Kings back in April, Green has been making appearing on Inside The NBA as an analyst.

Draymond Green Speaks On Caitlin Clark

Looking ahead, Clark says she’s focused on not letting the hard fouls get to her. “It is what it is,” she said after the game. “I feel like I’m just at the point where you accept it and don’t retaliate… I’m trying not to let it bother me.” The Fever are now 2-8 while the Sky sit at 3-4. Be on the lookout for further updates on Draymond Green as well as the WNBA on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Lil Wayne Urges Caution From Fans Saying Draymond Green Needs Help

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The post Draymond Green Shares Advice For Caitlin Clark & Indiana Fever After Hard Fouls: “Invest In An Enforcer” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

SOURCE SPORTS: Fans Petition to Move Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever Game to United Center

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Hundreds of basketball fans have launched a petition on Change.org urging authorities to relocate the upcoming Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever games from Wintrust Arena to the United Center. Amara initiated the petition, which aims to attract a broader audience by leveraging the United Center’s larger capacity.

The games, scheduled for June 23rd and August 30th, currently set to take place at Wintrust Arena, could potentially draw more spectators, including fans and alumni from across the Midwest, if held at the United Center.

The petitioner Amara advocates for providing “larger quantities of less expensive seats,” suggesting that the move would enable both Caitlin Clark fans and Chicago Sky enthusiasts to enjoy an outstanding game experience at the renowned United Center.

The petition underscores the excitement surrounding the upcoming matchups and reflects the enthusiasm of fans eager to witness the games in a larger venue. As the petition gains momentum, how authorities will respond to the request for a venue change remains to be seen.

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SOURCE SPORTS: WNBA Draft Sets Record-Breaking Viewership

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Caitlin Clark Drafted to Indiana Fever, Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardso Form Duo in Chicago

According to ESPN, the WNBA Draft on Monday night shattered records, drawing an unprecedented average of 2.45 million viewers. The event reached its peak viewership at 3.09 million, marking a historic moment for the league.

This remarkable audience turnout reflects a significant surge in interest, with viewership more than quadruple compared to the previous year’s draft, which garnered 572,000 viewers. The last record draft stood at 601,000 viewers in 2004, notably featuring UConn’s Diana Taurasi as the top pick.

Monday’s broadcast marked the highest viewership for any WNBA telecast since 2000 when NBC attracted 2.74 million viewers for a Memorial Day matchup between the New York Liberty and the now-defunct Houston Comets. The impressive numbers underscore women’s basketball’s growing popularity and appeal, signaling a bright future for the sport.

In a historic moment at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Caitlin Clark, the two-time Naismith College Player of the Year, was chosen as the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft 2024 presented by State Farm®. This selection marks a pivotal moment in the young athlete’s career, representing a significant milestone for both Clark and the Indiana Fever.

Clark, a standout guard from Iowa, showcased her exceptional talent throughout her collegiate career, leading her team to consecutive NCAA Division I women’s basketball championship appearances. With remarkable averages of 31.6 points, 8.9 assists, and 7.4 rebounds per game, she dominated Division I basketball, securing her place in history as the all-time leader in total points and three-pointers made.

Following Clark’s selection, the Los Angeles Sparks chose Cameron Brink of Stanford as the second overall pick. Brink, a formidable center-forward, boasts an impressive resume, including accolades such as the 2024 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and the 2024 Lisa Leslie Award.

The team of analysts from CasinoenligneGuru became interested in how the popularity and activity of Caitlin Clark on social media changed after she became a national sensation, entering basketball history as the most productive player in the NCAA Division I history (both in women’s and men’s leagues) and winning the hearts of spectators by leading the Iowa Hawkeyes team during the March Madness 2024 tournament. Currently, she is in the WNBA draft and is on her way to becoming a professional in her sport and personal style.

According to calculations made, on March 30 of this year, the number of followers on Instagram @caitlinclark22 was 1,355,482, but today, after 3 weeks, this number has grown to 2,041,969! This impressive surge in popularity amounts to a new 700,000 fans and supporters!

The Chicago Sky rounded out the top three picks by selecting Kamilla Cardoso of South Carolina, a towering center who played a pivotal role in her team’s national championship victory.

However, one of the standout moments of the draft came with the Chicago Sky’s selection of Angel Reese. Reese, a 6-3 forward from LSU, was instrumental in leading her team to the national title in 2023. Her dominance on the court was unparalleled, as evidenced by her NCAA-record 34 double-doubles during the championship season. Reese’s selection marks a significant addition to the Sky’s roster, adding a dynamic player with a proven track record of success.

You can see reactions below.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Caitlin Clark Drafted to Indiana Fever, Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso Form Duo in Chicago

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Caitlin Clark Drafted to Indiana Fever, Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardso Form Duo in Chicago

In a historic moment at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Caitlin Clark, the two-time Naismith College Player of the Year, was chosen as the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft 2024 presented by State Farm®. This selection marks a pivotal moment in the young athlete’s career, representing a significant milestone for both Clark and the Indiana Fever.

Clark, a standout guard from Iowa, showcased her exceptional talent throughout her collegiate career, leading her team to consecutive NCAA Division I women’s basketball championship appearances. With remarkable averages of 31.6 points, 8.9 assists, and 7.4 rebounds per game, she dominated Division I basketball, securing her place in history as the all-time leader in total points and three-pointers made.

Following Clark’s selection, the Los Angeles Sparks chose Cameron Brink of Stanford as the second overall pick. Brink, a formidable center-forward, boasts an impressive resume, including accolades such as the 2024 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and the 2024 Lisa Leslie Award.

The Chicago Sky rounded out the top three picks by selecting Kamilla Cardoso of South Carolina, a towering center who played a pivotal role in her team’s national championship victory.

However, one of the standout moments of the draft came with the Chicago Sky’s selection of Angel Reese. Reese, a 6-3 forward from LSU, was instrumental in leading her team to the national title in 2023. Her dominance on the court was unparalleled, as evidenced by her NCAA-record 34 double-doubles during the championship season. Reese’s selection marks a significant addition to the Sky’s roster, adding a dynamic player with a proven track record of success.

You can see reactions below.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Caitlin Clark Drafted to Indiana Fever, Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso Form Duo in Chicago first appeared on The Source.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Aliyah Boston Drafted No. 1 Overall by Indiana Fever

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After a stellar run at the University of South Carolina, Aliyah Boston is joining the Indiana Fever. On Monday night (Apr. 10), Boston was drafted first overall by the Fever in the WNBA Draft.

“It’s just really special,” said Boston. “I’m thankful, first, to God just for putting me in this position but also thankful to everybody in Indiana, just because they saw something in me and I’m just ready to get there and get to work.”

Rounding out the top 5 draft pics were Maryland’s Diamond Miller, who will join the Minnesota Lynx, Vilanova’s Maddy Siegrist, headed to the Dallas Wings, Iowa State’s Stephanie Soares was drafted by the Washington Mystics before being traded to the Wings, and the last Wings also grabbing Lou Lopez Senechal from UConn.

Joining the W from the South Carolina Gamecocks were Laeticia Amihere (No. 8 to the Atlanta Dream), Zia Cooke (No. 10 to the Los Angeles Sparks), Brea Beal (No. 24 to the Lynx), and Victaria Saxton (No. 25 to the Fever).

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