The Indiana Fever are on top of the world, and they’ve got the Commissioner’s Cup to prove it. On Tuesday night, they defeated the Minnesota Lynx 75-59, securing their first Commissioner’s trophy in franchise history. Indiana dominated on defense, holding the Lynx to a season-low 27 points in the first half and 59 points overall. They shut down MVP favorite Napheesa Collier, who finished with just 12 points. Natasha Howard led the charge with 16 points and 12 rebounds, earning game MVP honors. But here’s the kicker: Caitlin Clark, the Fever’s superstar guard, didn’t play at all.
Clark Takes Charge of the Locker Room Party
Sidelined for her seventh game this season-and the most important one yet-after never missing a single game in college or her rookie season, Clark still found a way to steal the spotlight during the celebration. The Lynx, last year’s Cup winners with a 94-89 victory over the Liberty before losing in the Finals, couldn’t keep up this time. For Clark, this is her first major trophy. Even though she didn’t play, her presence was a huge reason the Fever won.
The real story, though, happened after the buzzer. Inside the locker room, the Fever let loose, and Caitlin Clark was running the show. She rolled out of there barely wet-just a few champagne drops on her giant ski goggles and championship shirt-while her teammates were soaked and loving it. Sydney Colson couldn’t stop laughing about it: “Caitlin’s over there, chomping through bottles and cans like it’s nothing.
It was a riot.” Clark, who’s not big on drinking, was the one cracking open beers and hyping everyone up. She even slammed one back herself as the team chanted “Chug! Chug! Chug!”-the Commissioner’s Cup trophy gleaming in the background.
But she didn’t stop there. Clark made sure her teammates got in on the action, passing out drinks and even pausing to check that rookie Makyala Timpson was 21 before handing her a sip. “It’s a blast,” said Katie Lou Samuelson. “We earned this, and celebrating together like that-it’s what it’s all about.” Injured or not, Clark was the life of the party, proving she’s just as clutch off the court.
Fever’s Defense Shines in Commissioner’s Cup Triumph
Now, let’s talk about that game. The Fever didn’t just win; they dominated. Their defense was relentless, throwing the Lynx off their game from the start. Collier, usually a scoring machine, couldn’t get going, and Minnesota looked lost. Howard was a force, cleaning up the boards and scoring when it mattered most. This was the kind of win that makes you sit up and take notice-Indiana is not messing around anymore. This trophy is a milestone: a reward for a team that has been working hard and a sign of bigger things to come.
The Lynx aren’t out of it yet. With a WNBA best record of 14-2, they’re still the team to beat this season. However, this loss stings. After falling short in last year’s Finals and missing out on the Cup again, they must regroup quickly. Three home games this week-against the Mystics, followed by back-to-back nights against the Valkyries and Sky-will test their ability to bounce back.
Meanwhile, the Fever are riding high but holding their breath for Clark’s return. They have a five-game homestand starting tomorrow against A’Ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces. They’ll then face the Sparks, Valkyries, Dream, and, on July 13, Dallas and Paige Bueckers in a blockbuster matchup. Assuming she’s back and firing on all cylinders, that one’s shaping up to be Clark’s first WNBA face-off with her old college nemesis. For now, the Fever are enjoying this win. Clark’s locker room takeover shows that she’s already a champion, whether she’s playing or not.
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