The Indiana Fever have found their groove – and Caitlin Clark is at the heart of it. After a bumpy start to the season, Indiana punched its ticket to the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Final with an 88-71 win over the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday night.
Now, with a 4-1 record in Cup play, they’re headed to a July 1 showdown against the league-leading Minnesota Lynx. But it’s not just about pride or progress – this one comes with a $500,000 prize pool attached.
That kind of money doesn’t go unnoticed, especially in a league where rookies like Clark make around $76,000 per year. “That’s a big deal,” she told IndyStar’s Chloe Peterson. “Why wouldn’t we celebrate the chance to play for that kind of money – and a trophy?”
For Clark and Co., the Cup Is About More Than Just Momentum – It’s a Financial Game-Changer
Each Fever player stands to earn roughly $45,000 if Indiana can pull off the win – plus a $5,000 bonus in cryptocurrency from Coinbase. That’s a serious incentive, and Clark admitted as much. “It’s fun, it’s competitive, and it’s something we earned,” she said. “It’s also another game to grow as a team.”
But beating Minnesota won’t be easy. The Lynx, led by Napheesa Collier – who’s having a monster season at 21.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game (via ESPN) – are 11-1 and rolling. They also claimed the Commissioner’s Cup last year and won the season series against Indiana in 2023.
This will be the first time the two teams meet this season, and with the Cup Final taking place in Minnesota (thanks to the Lynx’s better record), Indiana will be playing on hostile ground.
Still, the Fever have something to prove – and Clark’s competitive fire is burning bright. The Cup isn’t just a title. It’s a chance to solidify Indiana’s resurgence and give their rookie superstar her first taste of pro-level success – and reward.
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