The Indiana Fever overcame significant odds to win the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final 74-59 on Tuesday, capturing the league’s in-season championship. Despite being without star guard Caitlin Clark due to a groin injury for the third consecutive game, the Fever emerged victorious behind a strong performance from forward Natasha Howard.
Howard was named the game’s MVP with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists, as the team’s defense went into lockdown mode in the second quarter. The Lynx were held scoreless for the last 8:13 of the half, marking the longest streak without scoring since August 2011.
The Fever’s guard corps, minus Clark, combined for 46 points, with Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell chipping in with notable performances. Boston had 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Mitchell contributed to the team’s balanced effort.
Coach Stephanie White praised the team’s resilience, saying they “pull for one another” and are a “tough, mentally and physically resilient group.” The victory gave the Fever a confidence boost, potentially sending a message to the rest of the league.
Indiana’s win marks their first Commissioner’s Cup title since 2021. Clark is expected to return from injury soon, but coach White has emphasized that rushing her back is not an option. For now, the team will focus on building momentum and staying healthy as they head into the All-Star break.
Source: https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/45637519/indiana-fever-led-mvp-natasha-howard-beat-minnesota-lynx-win-commissioner-cup