Indiana Fever Stun Lynx 74-59, Win Commissioner’s Cup/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Natasha Howard recorded 16 points and 12 rebounds as the Indiana Fever defeated the Minnesota Lynx 74-59 to win the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup. The Fever overcame Caitlin Clark’s absence and an early 13-point deficit with strong defense and balanced scoring. Minnesota suffered its first home loss of the season despite entering with the league’s best record.
Quick Look – Commissioner’s Cup Victory:
- Fever win WNBA Commissioner’s Cup 74-59 over Lynx
- Natasha Howard earns MVP honors with 16 points, 12 boards
- Indiana overcomes Caitlin Clark’s injury absence and early deficit
- Lynx shoot season-low 34.9%, struggle from three-point range
- Minnesota suffers first home loss of the season
Howard, Fever Rally Without Clark to Claim WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Over Lynx, 74-59
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Fever proved they’re far more than Caitlin Clark on Tuesday night.
With their All-Star rookie sidelined by a groin strain, the Fever leaned on veteran leadership and defense as Natasha Howard recorded 16 points, 12 rebounds and four assists to lead Indiana past the Minnesota Lynx 74-59 in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final.
Clark has been out since June 24, but the Fever shrugged off her absence and an early 13-point deficit to surge past Minnesota, which entered the game with the league’s best record.
“You’ve got to have the confidence in yourself and in your teammates,” said Fever coach Stephanie White. “This group is learning that if one person is down, someone else steps up.”
Howard, who was named the game’s MVP, showcased why she was the 2019 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, holding Minnesota All-Star Napheesa Collier to 12 points on 6-of-18 shooting. Collier also committed five turnovers, part of 16 total by the Lynx.
“Phee’s a great player, but my thing was making her take hard shots, and that’s what I did tonight,” Howard said.
Minnesota endured its worst offensive night of the season, shooting just 34.9% and sinking only 4 of 16 from 3-point range, well below its average of 9.4 threes per game.
“We have a tendency sometimes to get impatient,” Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said. “Our commitment to moving the ball and creating advantages was just not there.”
Sophie Cunningham added 13 points for Indiana, while Aliyah Boston, Aari McDonald and Kelsey Mitchell chipped in 12 apiece.
“I described this entire experience as a gut-check experience,” Mitchell said. “Physically, mentally, psychologically, we did an unbelievable job staying together and weathering the storm.”
Minnesota was led by Alanna Smith with 15 points. Courtney Williams added 11 but struggled with six turnovers.
The Lynx jumped out fast, opening an 18-9 lead behind a 12-0 run that included a Smith 3-pointer and a twisting layup. Minnesota pushed the advantage to 27-14 early in the second quarter. But that’s when Indiana flipped the game on its head.
The Fever held the Lynx scoreless for the final 8:17 of the half, forcing Minnesota into an 0-for-10 drought. Meanwhile, Cunningham drilled a pair of 3-pointers, helping Indiana close the quarter on an 18-0 run to grab a 32-27 halftime lead.
Indiana expanded its cushion in the third quarter, with Howard pouring in 10 points. Minnesota never got closer than seven after that.
The Lynx threatened briefly, trimming the gap to 60-51 midway through the fourth quarter. But Cunningham quieted the Target Center crowd by burying her third 3-pointer of the night, effectively sealing the Fever’s victory.
Minnesota, which won last year’s Commissioner’s Cup on the road in New York, earned home-court advantage this time thanks to a league-best 14-2 record. Tuesday’s defeat marked its first home loss of the season.
“We always want to play our best basketball,” Smith said. “We have to take this game to heart and learn from it—the mistakes we made, the way we showed up, the way we prepared—and make sure we don’t do it again.”
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