INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Fever have made history by securing their spot in the 2025 Commissioner’s Cup final, representing the Eastern Conference. This achievement did not come without its challenges; the Fever fought hard, both on and off the court. Their impressive victory of 88-71 against the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday was marred by multiple on-court altercations, but they still needed a favorable outcome from the Atlanta Dream to clinch their spot. The New York Liberty came through for Indiana, overcoming a 17-point deficit to defeat Atlanta 86-81, which allowed the Fever to surpass the Dream in the standings.
With both Indiana and New York tied at 4-1 in their Commissioner’s Cup games, the Fever's recent triumph over the Liberty provided them with the crucial tiebreaker. This marks a significant milestone for the franchise, as it is the first time in the five-year history of the Commissioner’s Cup that Indiana has advanced to the final. Previously, the East was represented by teams like Connecticut, Chicago, and New York, with only the Liberty managing to win the cup in 2023.
Among the current Fever roster, DeWanna Bonner is notable as the only player with experience in a cup final, having participated in the 2021 final with the Sun. The Fever will face the Western Conference representative, the Minnesota Lynx, in the final scheduled for Tuesday, July 1.
The intensity of the match between the Fever and the Sun escalated during the second half, culminating in a series of scuffles. Caitlin Clark, a standout player for Indiana, was at the center of the chaos. In the third quarter, she was flagrantly fouled, leading to the ejection of three players in the fourth quarter. The incident began when Clark was poked in the eye by Sun guard Jacy Sheldon and subsequently body-checked by teammate Marina Mabrey.
As Clark drove down the lane, Sheldon reached in and struck her in the face. This prompted Clark to retaliate by shoving Sheldon, which ignited a confrontation involving teammates from both sides. Fever coach Stephanie White expressed her frustration with the officiating, emphasizing that the lack of control by referees allowed tensions to escalate. “When the officials don’t get control of the ball game... this is what happens,” she noted, suggesting that the issue of officiating affects the entire WNBA.
After reviewing the incident, the referees upgraded Sheldon’s foul to a flagrant foul penalty 1 and issued technical fouls to Clark, Charles, and Mabrey. Interestingly, Mabrey was not ejected despite her actions. Crew chief Ashley Gloss clarified that the contact made by Mabrey did not meet the criteria for a flagrant foul penalty two, and thus did not warrant an ejection.
The confrontations did not end with Clark’s incident. With less than a minute remaining in the game, Sheldon made a steal and attempted a fast break layup. Fever wing Sophie Cunningham chased her down and committed a flagrant foul, resulting in a chaotic scene where players from both teams clashed. After a thorough review, Cunningham was assessed a flagrant foul penalty 2, leading to her ejection alongside Sheldon and teammate Lindsay Allen.
Sun coach Rachid Meziane criticized Cunningham’s actions, stating, “When you are winning the game by 17 points and you are doing this stupid foul, this is just disrespectful.” Meanwhile, Clark chose not to discuss the incidents or the officiating in the postgame press conference, but she showed agreement with White’s critical take on the referees. Remarkably, despite the chaos, Clark delivered a stellar performance, scoring 20 points and dishing out six assists, helping the Fever secure their final berth.
At the beginning of the season, Clark made it clear that the Fever's goal for 2025 was to capture a championship. Though they may not have anticipated the Commissioner’s Cup trophy as their primary objective, the in-season tournament has been a significant indicator of postseason success. Teams like the Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm have seen their cup appearances translate into deeper playoff runs.
As the Fever prepare for the final against the Lynx, they are not only aiming for victory but also looking to solidify their status as a contender within the league. With Clark’s talent and determination, Indiana is poised to make a mark on the WNBA landscape this season.
