WNBA: No Clark, no problem as Fever upset Lynx in Commissioner’s Cup

Despite being without Caitlin Clark due to a groin injury, the Indiana Fever were able to upset the Minnesota Lynx 74-59 to win the 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup.

The Fever went on an 18-0 run to end the second quarter, completely shifting the game. Indiana then maintained control throughout the second half to earn the win. Natasha Howard had one of her better games of the season. She ended the night with 16 points, 12 rebounds and was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Howard was named the Commissioner’s Cup MVP.

The Fever were led by Howard, but had a balanced attack. Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, and Aari McDonald all scored 12 points, and Sophie Cunningham had 13 points, going 3-for-5 from 3-point range.

For the Lynx, Napheesa Collier struggled offensively. She ended the night with just 12 points on 6-for-18 shooting. Alanna Smith led Minnesota in scoring with 15 points.

The victory for the Fever means a $500,000 payday, with each player receiving $30,000. The team earned an additional $120,000 in cryptocurrency courtesy of Coinbase, as well as $10,000 for their local community organization, the Peace Learning Center (PLC). The PLC is based in Indianapolis and is an educational institution with worldwide reach. PLC helps schools, community groups and businesses create welcoming and inclusive environments where everyone thrives and achieves their full potential.

Along with the prize money and the trophies, there was a celebration that matched the glory, where the music was blasting and the champagne was getting popped.

How the Indy pulled off the upset

To start the game, both teams exchanged baskets. Minnesota began with four starters scoring during the opening minutes, while Indiana had Mitchell and McDonald carrying the offensive load.

Midway through the quarter, the Lynx went on a 12-0 run to take a 18-9 lead. Sydney Colson hit a 3 for Indiana to end the scoring drought before Collier responded with a basket for Minnesota, leaving Lynx ahead 20-12 entering the second quarter.

In the second, the Lynx began strong with baskets by Maria Kliundikova and Jessica Shepard, giving them a 27-14 lead with just over eight minutes left in the first half. This is the moment the Fever took control. McDonald drove to the basket and converted a layup. Cunningham hit another 3-pointer, then Mitchell had her own 5-0 run to get Indiana within four points. Aliyah Boston scored inside, and after another deep basket by Cunningham, the Fever took the lead. They ended the half ahead 32-27 as the Lynx failed to score throughout the rest of the second quarter.

Boston scored again to start the second half. Almost a minute into the third, Collier finally ended the Lynx’s scoring drought. Unfortunately, they went another two-plus minutes without points and didn’t score again until Smith hit a pair of free throws.

The Fever continued to add to their lead, and after a Howard make, the advantage had ballooned to double figures. Indiana maintained their edge and led 52-42 entering the fourth quarter.

Sheppard opened the final frame with three-straight points to put the Lynx within seven. The Fever then called for a timeout and returned with a championship-level run. Indiana scored six-straight points to push the lead back up to 13. Kayla McBride got the Lynx back within nine at the midway point of the period, but they never got closer than that. The Fever continued to score inside, make their free throws and take care of the ball.

Indiana celebrated during the final seconds on the floor as they gave the Lynx their first loss in Minnesota this season.

Key takeaways

Without Clark, the Fever are still a good team. With her, they are title contenders. On Tuesday, they demonstrated how much better this team is compared to last year’s iteration. If healthy, the Fever will have something to say about who wins the WNBA title.

This was a disappointing result for the Lynx, but not the end of the world. It was a reminder that they have work to do. They shot an abysmal 4-for-16 from 3 as a team and were outrebounded 40-30. If they turn this loss into a lesson, they can replicate what the Liberty did last season. Last year, New York lost the Commissioner’s Cup final to Minnesota, but then got the sweetest revenge: beating them in the WNBA Finals.