🏆 Commissioner’s Cup Triumph
The Stage Is Set
The WNBA’s fifth Commissioner’s Cup—a midseason tournament sponsored by Coinbase—ran from June 1 to 17, 2025. Each team played designated Cup games within its conference (Eastern teams had five, Western had six), with the top-record team from each conference meeting in the Cup Final. The East’s top team, the Indiana Fever, hosted the championship game thanks to their superior Cup play record .
Underdogs in Minnesota
On Tuesday, July 1, the Fever traveled to Minneapolis to face the defending champion Minnesota Lynx at Target Center. This marked Indiana’s first-ever appearance in a Commissioner’s Cup Final . The Fever endured a rocky start: Minnesota carried a 20‑12 lead after one quarter and expanded it to 27‑14 early in the second . But the Fever defense tightened. They went 18‑0 to close the half, taking a 32‑27 lead into halftime .
In the second half, Indiana kept up the intensity, never letting the Lynx within two possessions. Their defensive stand out: Minnesota managed only 39 points over three quarters, shot about 35 percent, and gave the ball away 16 times .
Balanced Performances
The Fever showcased depth:
Natasha Howard led the charge with a 16‑point, 12‑rebound double‑double and clutch defense—earning unanimous MVP honors for the game .
Aliyah Boston chipped in another double‑double (12 pts, 11 rebs, 6 asts) .
Kelsey Mitchell and Sophie Cunningham sparked the offense, each contributing significantly .
Despite Caitlin Clark—the rising superstar and team catalyst—being sidelined with a lingering groin injury since June 24, the team demonstrated remarkable selflessness and resilience .
Prize and Pride
Indiana’s 74‑59 win granted them:
The Commissioner’s Cup trophy, the franchise’s first
A $500,000 prize pool, with $10,000 earmarked for a local charity (Peace Learning Center in Indianapolis), and $5,000 per player on the losing side
**$23,000 in charitable donations** overall from their Cup campaign
Head Coach Stephanie White praised her team’s mental and physical toughness, calling it a “gut‑check” display . While acknowledging the celebration, she emphasized that the Cup was just a milestone—not the ultimate goal .
🔥 Blasting the Las Vegas Aces
A Homecoming Statement
Just 48 hours later, on Thursday, July 3, the Fever hosted the Las Vegas Aces at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Aces, perennial WNBA contenders, had owned the series since 2019, pushing a 16‑game winning streak .
Without Clark once again, Indiana turned to momentum, defense, and veteran leadership.
Scoring & Defense: A One‑Two Punch
Kelsey Mitchell erupted for 25 points, spearheading the scoring attack .
Aliyah Boston added 20 points .
Natasha Howard contributed 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds .
Defensively, the Fever again dominated:
The Aces shot a miserable ~26 percent overall—marked their lowest field-goal percentage of the season .
Las Vegas committed 17 turnovers, frequently stifled by Indiana’s full-court pressure .
Coach-Player Chemistry on Display
Late in the fourth quarter, Coach White received a technical foul—reportedly to “make a point” about physicality and officiating .
Though injured, Caitlin Clark animatedly applauded and high‑fived her coach—an emotional gesture that swiftly went viral . White quipped that Clark “had her back” and got the tech foul “bonus” .
Las Vegas Reacts
Aces coach Becky Hammon didn’t mince words:
Referred to it as “one of the worst games I’ve ever seen”, saying “we got our ass kicked” .
Called out the lack of professionalism, poor defense, and an inability to match the Fever’s physicality .
A’ja Wilson did score 29 points, but with the rest of the team shooting just 7-of-43, the Aces fell apart offensively .
The 81‑54 blowout ended the Aces’ dominance dating back six years and gave Indiana their first win over them since 2019 .
🎯 Context & Significance
Momentum and Mindset
Within 48 hours, Indiana:
Captured its first‑ever Commissioner’s Cup
Secured a dominant 27‑point home victory over a formidable rival without their marquee player
Proved that culture, defense, and a balanced roster can thrive, even under adversity
Coach White emphasized the team’s resilience, crediting the veteran–young core and highlighting their ability to reset after success .
Caitlin Clark’s Role
Clark’s absence raised questions:
Indiana is 5‑4 without Clark vs. 4‑4 when she plays—fueling debates about team dynamics .
However, her off‑court leadership, energy, and recovery narrative remain pivotal. Despite missing four straight, she’s still a fan-favorite and leads fan voting for the All-Star Game—recently named a captain .
Broader Impacts in WNBA
The Cup victory stoked conversations about midseason payout disparities. Clark criticized that Cup winners earn more than WNBA champions per-game—$30k vs. $20.8k—urging league leaders to reevaluate the structure .
Caitlin’s growing influence extends beyond the court. She broke her own WNBA All-Star voting record and recently partnered on a Nike Kobe Bryant-inspired sneaker, which sold out instantly .
đź“… Looking Ahead
Clark’s return is projected before the All-Star Game on July 19 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse .
Indiana sits at 9–8, riding momentum into a home‑heavy July slate, while Las Vegas fell to 8–9, entering a challenging road trip .
In Summary
Indiana’s back-to-back achievements weren’t flukes—they were the result of stifling defense, deep bench contributions, and a team-first attitude. Their Commissioner’s Cup win was historic; the thrashing of the Aces signaled a power shift. All of this unfolded while healing around their superstar, Caitlin Clark, keeping both momentum and optimism alive for what’s next.
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