Fever Win Commissioner’s Cup Without Clark, Top Lynx 74-59

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Even without star guard Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever delivered a commanding performance Tuesday night, defeating the league-leading Minnesota Lynx 74-59 to capture the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup title.

With Clark sidelined since June 24 due to a strained groin, the Fever turned to veteran forward Natasha Howard, who led the charge with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists. Indiana’s defense also rose to the occasion, stifling a typically high-powered Minnesota offense.

Howard, the WNBA’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2019, put on a clinic on both ends. She limited Lynx All-Star Napheesa Collier to just 12 points on 6-of-18 shooting, while also helping force five of Minnesota’s 16 turnovers.

The Lynx, who entered the game with the best record in the league at 14-2, struggled to find rhythm offensively. They shot just 34.9% from the field and connected on only 4-of-16 from beyond the arc—well below their season average of 9.4 made threes per game.

Sophie Cunningham added 13 points for Indiana, while Aliyah Boston, Aari McDonald, and Kelsey Mitchell each chipped in 12. Alanna Smith led Minnesota with 15 points, and Courtney Williams had 11, though she also committed a team-high six turnovers.

Minnesota came out strong, using a 12-0 run capped by a Smith three-pointer and acrobatic layup to build an 18-9 lead. The Lynx extended that margin to 27-14 early in the second quarter, but then went ice cold. They were held scoreless over the final 8:17 of the half, missing their last 10 shots as Indiana closed on an 18-0 run to take a 32-27 lead into the break.

Indiana’s momentum carried into the second half. Howard scored 10 points in the third quarter, and the Fever pushed their lead into double digits. The Lynx never got closer than seven points the rest of the way.

A brief Minnesota rally in the fourth cut the deficit to 60-51, but Cunningham responded with her third three-pointer of the game, quieting the crowd and sealing the victory.

The Lynx had won last year’s Commissioner’s Cup on the road against the New York Liberty and earned home-court advantage this year thanks to their league-best start. But their undefeated home record came to an end as Indiana celebrated a signature win.

Despite the loss, Minnesota players remained focused, expressing determination to learn and grow from the experience.