Last Tuesday, the Indiana Fever dethroned the Minnesota Lynx in the Commissioner’s Cup-a victory that may well be the team’s most impressive so far this season. And they did it without their star player, Caitlin Clark, who was sidelined with a groin injury and had to watch and support her teammates from the bench.
Despite being unable to take the court, Clark remained an active presence on the sideline, underscoring that winning is about teamwork, regardless of who’s on the floor. Her leadership was evident even in absence, helping fuel the Fever’s drive.
One of the game’s standout performances came from forward Natasha Coward, who posted a double-double, while four other teammates scored in double digits during the Commissioner’s Cup final against the top-ranked team in the league, the Minnesota Lynx.
Overflowing emotions from Caitlin Clark
Although the Fever’s star could not play in the final, Caitlin Clark had played a pivotal role in getting the team there. Her standout performance in the semifinal victory over the New York Liberty had propelled Indiana to the championship game.
With the win over the Lynx, Clark secured her first WNBA title-a milestone that she hopes will be the first of many. For now, her priority is to fully recover from her groin injury before continuing to help her team pursue further victories.
During the postgame celebrations, emotions ran high in the Fever’s locker room. And with those emotions came a few unfiltered comments-particularly from Clark, whose words quickly made waves.
“Guys, I just know everybody in the league is sick,” Clark, who was off-camera, could be heard saying on teammate Aliyah Boston’s Instagram Live video in the locker room.
“They’re pissed!” Boston added.
Another player chimed in: “They hate us.”
It seems controversy has followed the Indiana Fever since the start of the season. From the departure of DeWanna Bonner, to Sophie Cunningham’s inflammatory remarks, and now these post-victory comments, the team has found itself at the center of public scrutiny time and again.
Caitlin’s comment could backfire
It’s worth noting that the Indiana Fever currently hold a modest 8-8 record-hardly enough to justify dismissiveness toward rivals or critics, who are surely waiting for an opportunity to throw those comments back in their faces.
What is undeniable, however, is that the team is showing real potential to contend for the championship-with or without their star on the floor. They’ve shown impressive adaptability and have earned critical wins that keep them firmly in the hunt for WNBA glory.
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