MINNEAPOLIS -- In a stunning upset, the Indiana Fever triumphed over the Minnesota Lynx with a final score of 74-59 in the WNBA Commissioner's Cup final on Tuesday night. Leading the charge for the Fever was Natasha Howard, who delivered an impressive performance with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists. This victory is particularly noteworthy as the Fever played without their All-Star guard, Caitlin Clark, who has been sidelined since June 24 due to a strained groin.
Despite starting the game on the back foot, trailing by as many as 13 points, the Fever showcased their resilience through balanced scoring and a formidable defensive effort against the Lynx, who entered the game with the best record in the league. The Fever were significant underdogs, listed at 10.5 points, marking their first victory of the season as a double-digit underdog and the seventh such win across the league this year.
On the other hand, the Lynx faced their worst offensive performance of the season, managing to shoot only 34.9% from the field and converting just 4-of-16 three-point attempts, a stark contrast to their average of 9.4 three-pointers per game. This loss ended a remarkable streak for Minnesota, which had previously won 14 consecutive games when favored by double digits in regular-season matchups.
In addition to Howard’s standout performance, Sophie Cunningham contributed 13 points, while teammates Aliyah Boston, Aari McDonald, and Kelsey Mitchell each added 12 points. Howard's exceptional play earned her unanimous MVP honors for the game. For the Lynx, Alanna Smith led the team with 15 points, while Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively. However, Williams struggled with ball control, committing six turnovers that contributed to the team's overall difficulties.
The game saw Minnesota initially take control, with Smith hitting a three-pointer and executing an acrobatic layup to propel the Lynx to an 18-9 lead. They extended their advantage to 27-14 early in the second quarter. However, the Fever turned the momentum dramatically, holding the Lynx scoreless for the last 8:17 of the half. During this stretch, Minnesota went 0-for-10 from the field, allowing Indiana to close the quarter with an explosive 18-0 run, taking a 32-27 lead by halftime. This marked the first time since August 4, 2011, that the Lynx went eight consecutive minutes without scoring.
In the third quarter, the Fever continued to build their lead, largely thanks to Howard's 10 points in the period. The Lynx never managed to cut their deficit to fewer than seven points for the remainder of the game. When Minnesota attempted a comeback, narrowing the gap to 60-51 midway through the fourth quarter, Cunningham answered back with her third three-pointer of the night, quelling the crowd and solidifying the Fever's lead.
The Lynx had previously claimed victory in last year's Commissioner's Cup final against the New York Liberty. However, this year, the Fever, with their remarkable performance, became the fifth team to win the Commissioner's Cup since its inception in 2021. As champions, they walk away with a prize pool of $500,000, marking a significant milestone in the franchise's history.
This victory not only highlights the growing competitiveness of the WNBA but also showcases the depth and talent within the Indiana Fever team. As the season progresses, fans eagerly anticipate how both teams will respond to this pivotal moment in their campaigns.
ESPN Research and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
