For the second time in a month, Fanatics Sportsbook bailed out its bettors after an injury forced Anthony Davis to leave the game early.
Davis strained an abdominal muscle during the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the Philadelphia 76ers last night. The injury happened in the first quarter, limiting him to just nine minutes and 50 seconds of playing time, in which he only scored four points and grabbed two rebounds.
The Lakers superstar headed to the locker room near the end of the first quarter and remained questionable to return. Shortly after halftime, the team officially ruled him out for the rest of the game.
Fanatics Sportsbook Policy Kicks Into Gear
But when Davis went out, Fanatics Sportsbook's Fair Play Policy kicked in.
Anyone who bet on an Anthony Davis prop using the Fanatics Sportsbook app still got paid. Shortly after the injury occurred and he was ultimately ruled out, Fanatics Sportsbook posted THIS on its X account:
Anthony Davis exited the game in the first quarter.
Player prop bets will either get refunded in cash or settled as a win. If it’s part of a parlay, the rest of your bet will still play out. Any bet settled before the injury will stand. pic.twitter.com/VVNGHCz3lb
— Fanatics Sportsbook (@FanaticsBook) January 29, 2025
The post’s description read: “Anthony Davis exited the game in the first quarter.
Player prop bets will either get refunded in cash or settled as a win. If it’s part of a parlay, the rest of your bet will still play out. Any bet settled before the injury will stand.”
Anthony Davis's Prop Bets Were Popular
It’s safe to say that Davis's props were a favorite for bettors wagering on last night’s game. There were $240,000 worth of AD prop bets placed on the Fanatics Sportsbook app alone.
According to numbers compiled by Fanatics Sportsbook, here are the three highest payouts that were honored:
2-leg parlay
- Stake: $11,450.78
- Payout: $20,259.07
7-leg SGP stack
- Stake: $500
- Payout: $14,501.14
4-leg SGP stack
- Stake: $5,000.00
- Payout: $7,937.44
The total number of bets that went on to win, or had a payout thanks to voiding, added up to 2,862.
Why So Many AD Prop Bets Against Philadelphia?
This is because the Lakers star was coming off one of his most dominant first-quarter performances of the season, and perhaps one of the most dominant you will ever see.
The Lakers big man had 21 points and 10 rebounds, single-handedly outscoring the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night (Charlotte scored only 19 as a team in the first quarter) and helping the Lakers build a 20-point lead.
Davis finished the game with 42 points and 23 rebounds, and the Lakers held on for a 112-107 win. It was one of the best performances of his career.
Anthon Davis' points and rebounds are typically among the most popular bets to make on Lakers games. Why is that?
Going into last night’s contest against the 76ers, Davis had recorded 40 points and rebounds combined in three of his last four games. He also cleared that line in two of four games on the second night of a back-to-back this season.
So, his first-quarter injury affected several bets, but Fanatics' policy made it an easier pill to swallow.
Davis Also Injured on Christmas Day
Last night’s incident is reminiscent of what happened on Christmas Day.
Davis didn't come back for the Lakers after he sprained his left ankle halfway through the first quarter. Lakers fans weren't the only ones upset; many bettors thought their prop bets would disappear before their eyes.
However, Fanatics Sportsbook reassured everyone on its X account: “Anthony Davis left the game in the first quarter. We will refund player prop bets in cash or settle them as a win. If it's part of a parlay, the rest of your bet will continue as usual. Any bet settled before the injury will remain.”
Anthony Davis exited the game in the first quarter.
Player prop bets will either get refunded in cash or settled as a win. If it’s part of a parlay, the rest of your bet will still play out. Any bet settled before the injury will stand. pic.twitter.com/firutoWnp8
— Fanatics Sportsbook (@FanaticsBook) December 26, 2024
Those unfamiliar with the policy were still able to have a holly, jolly Christmas after hearing that their bets were safe.
How Does The Fanatics Fair Play Policy Work?
Here's a simple way to explain the Fanatics Fair Play policy: If you bet on a player and they get injured in the first quarter, your bet will be refunded. This policy applies to prop and parlay bets, and you'll get your money back or receive a credit if your player leaves the game due to an injury.
The rules vary depending on the sport. In football, basketball, or hockey, if your player exits the game during the first quarter (or first period for hockey), the Fair Play Policy kicks in. In baseball, it applies if the player leaves before their second at-bat.
Fanatics Sportsbook saved a lot of bets during football season. One of the biggest paid out $66,000 on a bet involving Vikings running back Aaron Jones.
So far in 2025, the Fairness Policy has helped to pay out nearly $440,000 bets (across all sports) that otherwise would have lost.
How Long Will Anthony Davis Be Out?
Davis’s latest injury is expected to keep him off the floor for at least a week. An MRI confirmed an abdominal strain.
Thankfully, the injury isn’t serious, and all of those prop bets were salvaged.
