The Indiana Fever just reminded the entire WNBA—and the world—that their rise isn’t tied to one name. In a dominant defensive display and without star guard Caitlin Clark on the floor, the Fever stormed past the Minnesota Lynx 74–59 to win the 2025 Commissioner’s Cup in Minneapolis. The victory handed Indiana its first trophy since their 2012 WNBA championship—and proved they’re more than just a one-woman show.
Trailing 20–12 at the end of the first quarter, Indiana flipped the script in the second with an 18-0 run that silenced the Lynx and stunned the home crowd. Minnesota didn’t score for over 8 minutes, a drought that hasn’t hit the franchise since 2011. Indiana’s smothering defense turned the game on its head and gave the Fever a lead they’d never lose.
Natasha Howard: MVP, Defensive Queen, Veteran Force
Stepping into the spotlight was forward Natasha Howard, who dropped 16 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and shut down Minnesota’s star Napheesa Collier, holding her to just 12 points on 6-of-18 shooting.
“She’s a great player,” Howard said postgame. “But my thing was just limit her to hard shots… made it uncomfortable for her.”
With her Cup MVP trophy beside her, Howard reminded the league she’s still one of the fiercest defenders in the game—and one of the most under-celebrated.
“She’s a pro that flies under the radar,” said Kelsey Mitchell. “She’s won on every level—we need to give her her flowers.”
Depth, Defense, and Determination
Indiana wasn’t just playing without Clark, who missed her third straight game with a groin injury. They were also without veteran DeWanna Bonner, who left the team last week. But that didn’t stop them.
Aliyah Boston came alive with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. Sophie Cunningham added 13, while guards Kelsey Mitchell and Aari McDonald each chipped in 12.
This wasn’t a star-power showcase, it was a team win. Fever coach Stephanie White called it a crucial learning moment. “Learning to play without her, learning to make big plays in tough moments on both ends of the floor, is important,” Fever coach Stephanie White said. “That’s going to pay dividends down the stretch of the season for us. Caitlin is somebody who has oftentimes made plays for them, and they’re learning how to do that for one another.”
Even Clark, cheering from the bench, brought her signature energy—pumping her fists after big plays and showing this is still her team, even when she’s not on the court.
Minnesota’s First Real Flinch
The Lynx entered the game with the league’s best record (14-2), but Tuesday night exposed cracks. They couldn’t respond to Indiana’s second-quarter punch and never regained rhythm. Head coach Cheryl Reeve noted the lack of fortitude and ball movement.
“We had a hard time getting that done,” she said. “They beat us, give them credit.”
Alanna Smith led the Lynx with 15 points, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Fever from grabbing momentum—and the crown.
This win marks the Fever as the fifth different team to win the Commissioner’s Cup in its five-year history. But more than that, it’s a symbol of resilience, teamwork, and a shift in power.
