WNBA Finals Trend Should Worry Fever After Commissioner's Cup Win
The Indiana Fever's championship hopes might not be as strong as many thought coming into the 2025 WNBA season. The 2012 champions are still trying to figure things out under Stephanie White and multiple new players.
Advertisement
Amid an 8-8 start to the season, the Fever visited the Minnesota Lynx (14-2) for the Commissioner's Cup championship game, in which they beat the 2024 WNBA Finals runners-up 74-59.
They pulled off the upset despite not having Caitlin Clark available for the game. This was a notable win for the Fever, who were visibly excited after securing the in-season tournament against the best team in the league.
Natasha Howard led the way with 16 points, followed by Sophie Cunningham's 13 points and Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell and Aari McDonald, who scored 12 points apiece.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark wasn't available for the 2025 Commissioner's Cup final. Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
As great as this result was, it could be bad news for the Fever. The Athletic's women's basketball X account shared on Wednesday that the last two Commissioner's Cup losers ended up having the last laugh and winning the championship months later.
The Las Vegas Aces took revenge against the New York Liberty in the 2023 Finals, while the Liberty did the same against the Lynx last year. Minnesota returned to the Commissioner's Cup final, as the past two WNBA champions did, playing a high level of basketball.
Advertisement
Led by leading MVP candidate Napheesa Collier, Courtney Williams and a group of hungry players, the Lynx have serious chances to take down the Liberty. They have been the most consistent team in the league this season, but other squads, such as the Phoenix Mercury, Atlanta Dream and Seattle Storm, are also exceeding expectations.
The Fever are still championship hopeful, but they need to make some tweaks before joining the candidates' table.
Related: Caitlin Clark Takes Jab at Rivals After Commissioner's Cup Win
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indianapolis Star
39 minutes ago
- Indianapolis Star
Indiana Fever vs Los Angeles Sparks box score: Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Plum final stats
It happened again. Just as it had nine days earlier: The Indiana Fever collapsed in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Sparks. The Fever had a four-point lead with 1:43 left only to lose 89-87, ending a three-game winning streak again with Caitlin Clark sidelined with a left groin strain. The Fever are 3-2 in her most recent absence. Two stout defensive performances were undone Saturday night against the Sparks, who won by 10 with a fourth-quarter comeback June 26, also at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Of two teams who love to score in the paint, the Fever gained the edge 46-42 But the Sparks stayed in the game with efficient 3-point shooting, knocking down 10 of 22 3s. There were 10 ties and 12 lead changes, including Rickea Jackson's go-ahead jump shot with 58.1 seconds left. Caitlin Clark has not played in the Fever's last five games after suffering a left groin strain. It was the latest in an up-and-down season in which she missed time during the preseason, too. Clark doesn't want to play on a minutes restriction, and coach Stephanie White said the Fever still value her long-term health. Clark did go through semi-live shooting drills and 3-on-3 action in Friday's practice. 'She's stated she's not a fan of minute restrictions,' White said after practice Friday. 'If there is going to be a minutes restriction, maybe we'll hold her another game. I prioritize her long-term health and wellness and making sure that when she comes back, she's 100%.' The Fever host the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday, the Atlanta Dream on July 11 and Dallas Wings on July 13. The Fever then go on the road July 15 at the Connecticut Sun and July 16 at the New York Liberty before hosting the WNBA All-Star Game. Buy IndyStar's book on Caitlin Clark's remarkable rookie season! The Fever again play at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as they host the Golden State Valkyries at noon July 9.
Indianapolis Star
an hour ago
- Indianapolis Star
Deja vu: Fever again collapse late in loss to Sparks, ending 3-game winning streak
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana snapped its three-game winning streak Saturday night with an 89-87 loss to Los Angeles. It's the second time the Fever (9-9) have lost to the Sparks (6-13) in a nine-day stretch. Fever star Caitlin Clark missed her fifth straight game with a groin injury, and Indiana couldn't find a rhythm defensively. Indiana has a few days off before playing Golden State at noon Wednesday. Here are two things that stood out. Buy IndyStar's book remembering Caitlin Clark's rookie season! Indiana hung its hat on defense in its three-game winning streak: the Fever held the Minnesota Lynx to 59 points (including an eight-minute scoreless stretch) to win the Commissioner's Cup on Tuesday, then held the Las Vegas Aces to 54 points on Thursday. It was a significant stretch for the Fever — they held the best team in the league to under 60 points, then won their first game against Las Vegas since 2019. But they couldn't seem to keep that defensive momentum against Los Angeles, the second-worst team in the league this season. It could've been for a variety of reasons, including the fact that Indiana has played nine games in 18 days. insider: The Fever forced the Aces into something they hadn't done since 2015. How they made them 'look ugly' Indiana could never build a comfortable lead on Saturday night, as the Sparks stayed within six nearly the entire game. It also helped that the Sparks had a great night beyond the arc, shooting 10 of 22. The defense wasn't as stingy, and Los Angeles was able to take advantage of that. Fever rookie Makayla Timpson got significant time in the rotation, and she made the most of it. Starting in the first quarter. In under two minutes of play in the first quarter, Timpson had a block and three rebounds. Her most heads-up play came at the end of the first quarter: Sparks forward Rickea Jackson was going up for a layup, and Timpson ran up to the basket, jumped, and blocked the ball right after it left Jackson's hands. The ball flew into the baseline stands, and fans immediately jumped up in celebration. But Timpson, true to herself and the way she competes, didn't celebrate. She stayed stone-faced, ready for the next possession as if nothing happened. Insider: Makayla Timpson growing despite 'tough' rookie year, will be needed with frontcourt depth limited That's just the type of player Timpson is. And it's why, even as a rookie, that she's prepared for these big moments. Timpson finished the game with 12 minutes off the bench, going 2 of 4 from the field for five points and adding on six rebounds.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Fever Fans React to Traded Player's Return to Indiana During Aces Game
Fever Fans React to Traded Player's Return to Indiana During Aces Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Indiana Fever hosted the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday night in what turned out to be a lopsided affair. Despite not having star guard Caitlin Clark available due to injury, the Fever were still able to dominate the Aces en route to an impressive 81-54 blowout win. Advertisement Thursday's game also marked the return of NaLyssa Smith to Indianapolis following her offseason trade from the Fever. The former No. 2 overall pick, who spent the first three years of her career in Indiana, was traded to the Dallas Wings in February as part of the Sophie Cunningham deal. Smith's time in Dallas did not last long, though, with the Wings opting to trade her again on Monday to the Aces in exchange for a future first-round pick. Incidentally, Smith's first game for her new team came against the Fever, and in Gainbridge Fieldhouse, no less. This gave Indiana the opportunity to acknowledge the 6-foot-4 forward's return on Thursday night, which drew cheers from the fans in attendance. Advertisement The Fever supporters gave Smith an ovation as her name was announced on the PA system. The former Baylor star acknowledged the reception by raising her hands and gesturing to the crowd. Indiana Fever forward NaLyssa Smith during a game. © Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Smith came off the bench in her first game for Las Vegas, logging four points on 1-of-6 shooting, seven rebounds and a steal in 23 minutes of action. It was far from an incredible debut, but the 24-year-old could potentially play a significant role in the Aces' rotation moving forward as a frontcourt backup. Related: Former Fever Player to Face Indiana in First Game with New Team After Unexpected Trade Related: Caitlin Clark Gets Official All-Star Game News on Thursday Related: Dallas Wings Rookie Enters Caitlin Clark Territory After Historic Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
