Fever Beat Lynx Without Caitlin Clark to Claim 2025 Commissioner’s Cup
The Indiana Fever proved their resilience in a major way, defeating the league-leading Minnesota Lynx 74-59 to win the 2025 Commissioner’s Cup — and they did it without their injured star guard, Caitlin Clark.
Despite missing Clark for the third straight game due to a groin injury, the Fever delivered a commanding performance Tuesday night at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Natasha Howard spearheaded the effort with a double-double — 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists — while also locking down Lynx superstar Napheesa Collier. Howard’s relentless defense limited Collier to just 12 points on 6-of-18 shooting, well below her season average, earning Howard the Commissioner’s Cup MVP award.
“I knew I had a handful with Collier,” Howard said postgame. “She’s a great player. But my thing was just to limit her to hard shots… But I couldn’t do it by myself.”
Defense and Depth Fuel the Fever
The Fever used a stifling defensive strategy to frustrate the Lynx throughout the game. Indiana outshot Minnesota 42.9% to 34.9% overall and dominated from beyond the arc, converting 42.1% of their threes compared to the Lynx’s dismal 25%. The Fever also held a 40-30 rebounding advantage.
“We were just a little bit more disruptive,” Fever head coach Stephanie White said. “Our intensity and attention to detail were better. We made them uncomfortable.”
Offensively, the Fever had balanced contributions. Sophie Cunningham added 13 points off the bench, hitting three triples. Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, and Aari McDonald each chipped in 12 points.
“Learning to play without Caitlin is huge for our team,” White added. “This growth will pay dividends down the stretch.”
Lynx Collapse After Strong Start
The Lynx started strong, taking a 20-12 lead after the first quarter thanks to a 12-0 run. But Indiana flipped the script in the second, closing the half on an 18-0 run and outscoring Minnesota 20-7 in the frame. The Lynx missed 10 consecutive shots and failed to score in the final eight minutes of the first half.
That cold stretch continued after the break. Minnesota shot just 27% from the field in the second half, converting only 13 of their final 48 attempts. Alanna Smith led the Lynx with 15 points, while Collier struggled to regain her rhythm, going 3-for-9 after halftime.
“We got impatient,” Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve admitted. “They beat us to spots and disrupted our flow.”
Championship and Cash Without Clark
The win earned Fever players a $500,000 prize pool, plus an additional $120,000 in cryptocurrency — a reward for their performance in the league’s midseason tournament.
This marked Indiana’s third straight game without Caitlin Clark, who is still recovering from a groin issue. The team has gone 2-1 during her absence and is 4-4 overall without her this season.
“There’s no sense in rushing anything,” White said regarding Clark’s return. The All-Star guard remains day-to-day.
What’s Next for the Fever and Lynx?
With the Commissioner’s Cup now in hand, the Indiana Fever (8-8) return home to face the Las Vegas Aces (8-8) on Thursday night in a pivotal game between two playoff contenders.
The Minnesota Lynx (14-2) will look to bounce back when they host the Washington Mystics (8-9), also on Thursday.
FAQs
1. Why didn’t Caitlin Clark play in the Commissioner’s Cup?
Clark missed her third consecutive game due to a groin injury. She remains day-to-day.
2. Who won MVP of the 2025 Commissioner’s Cup?
Natasha Howard of the Indiana Fever earned MVP honors for her all-around performance and elite defense.
3. How much prize money did the Fever win?
Fever players shared a $500,000 prize pool, plus $120,000 in cryptocurrency.
4. What was the key to the Fever’s win over the Lynx?
Strong defensive execution, balanced scoring, and clutch performances without their star player were critical.
5. When is Caitlin Clark expected to return?
There’s no official timeline, but head coach Stephanie White said there’s “no sense in rushing” her recovery.
