Fever’s Historic Win: Without Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever proved their strength and teamwork, defeating the Minnesota Lynx and claiming the Commissioner’s Cup championship.

Even with superstar Caitlin Clark sidelined in street clothes due to a groin injury, the Indiana Fever pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the WNBA season, toppling the Minnesota Lynx 74-59 to claim the 2025 Commissioner’s Cup and its $500,000 prize on Tuesday night at Target Center.

Veteran forward Natasha Howard led the charge for Indiana, notching a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. The Fever stunned the Lynx, who had been undefeated at home and were widely expected to repeat as Commissioner’s Cup champions—especially with Clark out and Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier in dominant form. Minnesota had earned homecourt advantage with the league’s best Cup record, but that edge vanished as the Fever found their groove.

The Lynx started strong, racing to a 20-12 lead after the first quarter. But the second quarter was a different story: Minnesota’s offense froze, shooting just 18 percent from the field as Indiana unleashed an 18-0 run to seize control. The Lynx tried to rally, cutting the deficit to single digits early in the fourth, but the Fever’s defense held firm. Minnesota, usually the league’s premier three-point shooting team, went ice cold from deep, hitting just 25 percent from beyond the arc.

“We had some easy shots that didn’t fall, as did they, particularly early in the game,” Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said. “Then they kind of got their rhythm going, and we just sort of lost ours.”

It was a tough night for Collier, who struggled to find her usual efficiency. The Lynx needed contributions from their supporting cast, but veterans Courtney Williams (4-of-14 shooting) and Kayla McBride (1-of-7) couldn’t find their touch. Alanna Smith led Minnesota with 15 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Fever’s relentless defense.

Minnesota finished with a season-low 27 points in the first half and just 59 for the game—both season worsts. Their bid to become the first back-to-back Commissioner’s Cup champions ended in disappointment, while Indiana became the fifth different winner in as many years.

Last year, the Lynx used their own Commissioner’s Cup upset as a springboard to greatness. This time, they’ll have to regroup. “It’s good to look at it as a learning opportunity with a growth mindset,” Smith said. “We always want to play our best basketball, so we have to take this game to heart and learn … and make sure we don’t do this again.”

For Indiana, the win was a testament to their growth under coach Stephanie White, who has emphasized defensive improvement since taking over last fall. On the biggest stage of their season, the Fever delivered their finest defensive performance yet, forcing 16 turnovers and holding Minnesota to just 34.9 percent shooting from the floor.

With Clark out, reserve guard Sydney Colson stepped up, logging her most minutes since mid-June and frustrating Minnesota’s backcourt. Indiana, which has battled inconsistency on defense this season, showed poise and discipline when it mattered most. Five players scored in double figures, but it was the Fever’s defense that powered their first-half surge and ultimately secured the Commissioner’s Cup crown.