MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — In a thrilling matchup on Tuesday night, the Indiana Fever clinched the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup title by defeating the Minnesota Lynx with a score of 74-59. This victory was highlighted by an impressive performance from Natasha Howard, who contributed significantly with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists. The Fever achieved this remarkable win despite the absence of their All-Star guard Caitlin Clark, who has been recovering from a strained groin since June 24.
Despite the early challenges, the Fever showcased their determination by overcoming a 13-point deficit. Their success was attributed to a combination of balanced scoring and a robust defensive strategy against the Lynx, who previously held the best record in the league. The Lynx struggled offensively, marking their worst performance of the season with a shooting percentage of just 34.9% from the floor. They managed to make only 4 of 16 attempts from beyond the arc, a stark contrast to their season average of 9.4 three-pointers per game.
The Fever's victory was a team effort, with several players stepping up to fill the void left by Caitlin Clark. Sophie Cunningham was particularly notable, scoring 13 points, while Aliyah Boston, Aari McDonald, and Kelsey Mitchell each added 12 points to the scoreboard. This collective scoring effort proved crucial in shifting momentum in favor of Indiana.
On the other hand, the Lynx's offensive struggles were evident throughout the game. Alanna Smith led Minnesota with 15 points, while Napheesa Collier contributed 12 points and nine rebounds. Courtney Williams added 11 points but unfortunately contributed to the team’s turnover woes, recording six of the Lynx's 16 turnovers.
Early in the game, Smith made a crucial 3-pointer and executed an acrobatic layup, helping Minnesota establish an 18-9 lead. They even extended their advantage to 27-14 early in the second quarter. However, the tide turned dramatically when the Lynx went scoreless for the last 8:17 of the half, missing 10 consecutive shots. This allowed the Fever to launch a comeback, highlighted by Cunningham's two 3-pointers during an 18-0 run, giving Indiana a 32-27 lead at halftime.
In the second half, the Fever continued to build on their momentum, with Howard scoring 10 points in the third quarter alone. The Lynx struggled to close the gap, never getting within seven points for the remainder of the match. Even when Minnesota managed to cut the deficit to 60-51 midway through the fourth quarter, Cunningham quickly silenced the crowd with her third 3-pointer of the night, propelling the Fever forward.
Last year, the Lynx emerged victorious against the New York Liberty in the Commissioner’s Cup final, but this season, they faced a formidable challenge. Minnesota's home-court advantage was earned through their impressive 14-2 record, yet the Fever demonstrated that they could rise to the occasion, fighting through adversity to claim the coveted title.
