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As betting continues to infiltrate and shape the sports industry, theories about its influence continue to grow. Earlier this week, Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy suggested Victor Wembanyama was pulled from Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals due to his total points betting line.
With the Spurs dominating the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals, franchise player Victor Wembanyama was taken out of the game and put on the bench. While that could be seen as San Antonio resting their star player ahead of a crucial decisive seventh game, his points total makes the situation far more complicated.
When Wemby was pulled with about 9 minutes remaining in Game 6, he had 28 points. His points total betting line, though, was 28.5, meaning he was a singular point from hitting the over (which, given the nature of bettors and fans belief in Wemby’s greatness, is likely where the majority of bets on his points total fell).
Senator Chris Murphy has suggested that Victor Wembanyama was pulled from Game 6 of the WCF so he would not go over on his total points betting line
In a post on social media, Senator Chris Murphy directly called out the circumstances and unequivocally tied it to potentially nefarious sports betting manipulation.
“The transition of sports fandom from loyalty and joy and community to monetization and commodification is a little heartbreaking to me. A signal of the broader commercialization of everything not nailed down in America,” Murphy wrote on social media.
The transition of sports fandom from loyalty and joy and community to monetization and commodification is a little heartbreaking to me. A signal of the broader commercialization of everything not nailed down in America. pic.twitter.com/6bMDU3JKj4
— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) May 29, 2026
Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals will tip off from OKC on Saturday, May 30 at 8 p.m. EST. The Thunder enter as 3.5-point favorites with -155 odds to win on the moneyline. The winner will advance to the 2026 NBA Finals to take on the Eastern Conference-winning New York Knicks, who are appearing in their first Finals since 1999.