For all the talk about how much money Caitlin Clark makes for the WNBA, her Indiana Fever teammates made some cash for themselves on Tuesday.
The Fever defeated the favored Minnesota Lynx 74-59 in the championship game of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup, earning a $500,000 prize pool plus a smaller cryptocurrency sum for each player. They did it despite missing Clark for a third-straight game due to a groin injury.
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Without their offensive leader, the Fever won by shutting down a Lynx team that entered the game leading the WNBA in offensive rating. Minnesota opened up an early double-digit lead, but an 18-0 run to finish the first half gave Indiana a lead it never came particularly close to relinquishing, despite the hopes of many fans at the Target Center.
Five different Fever players reached double digits in scoring, led byu a 16-point, 12-rebound, four-assist night from Natasha Howard. Aliyah Boston also had a good night with 12 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, while Aari McDonald came up big at point guard in Clark’s absence with 12 points.
Alanna Smith led the Lynx with 15 points. As a team, they shot 22-of-63 with 16 turnovers.
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It was an especially tough night for those in the home crowd who were looking forward to seeing Red Panda, the halftime show legend who exited the court in a wheelchair after falling during her performance.
The Fever are the fifth team in five seasons to win the Commissioner’s Cup since its introduction in 2021. They join the Lynx (2024), New York Liberty (2023), Las Vegas Aces (2022) and Seattle Storm (2021). Each of those teams save for the Storm went on to reach the WNBA Finals.