Indiana Fever Triumph Over Minnesota Lynx in 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Final

The 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Final took a thrilling turn on Tuesday night as the Indiana Fever clinched victory against the Minnesota Lynx with a final score of 74-59. This unexpected win came as a shock to many, especially after a bold graphic featured by ESPN suggested a completely different narrative.

Pregame Hype Falls Flat

An engaging pregame graphic from ESPN’s YouTube channel showcased the headline, “Lynx dominate Fever,” leading fans to anticipate a one-sided contest. However, football fans and WNBA enthusiasts alike were taken aback when the Fever turned the tables in a stunning display of grit and determination.

“What tf are you doing ESPN????” – Rachel DeMita, former Big3 sideline reporter, tweeted in response to the graphic.

Game Breakdown

First Half: A Slow Start for the Fever

• First Quarter Score: Indiana Fever 12 – 20 Minnesota Lynx
• The Fever found themselves trailing after a sluggish start, paving the way for doubts about their ability to compete.

Second Half Surge

Indiana rallied impressively in the second half, outscoring Minnesota 42-25 in the final two quarters. With this remarkable comeback, the Fever put together 62 points against the Lynx’s 39 from the first quarter onward.

Key Players for Indiana

• Natasha Howard:

  • Points: 16
  • Rebounds: 12
  • Assists: 4
  • Steals: 2
  • Howard’s performance earned her the title of Commissioner’s Cup MVP.
• Supporting Cast:
  • Aaliyah Boston: 12 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists
  • Aari McDonald: 12 points
  • Kelsey Mitchell: 12 points

Challenges Faced by the Lynx

The Minnesota Lynx struggled offensively throughout the game, with notable difficulties in shooting percentage:

• Team shooting: 34.9%
• 3-point shooting: 25% (4 of 16)

Player Performance

• Napheesa Collier: Held to 12 points on 6-for-18 shooting.
• Alanna Smith: Contributed 15 points.
• Courtney Williams: Added 11 points, but her six turnovers hampered team efforts.

Season’s Reflection

This victory marks Indiana’s first Commissioner’s Cup title during a season that has otherwise been rocky, with a current record of 8-8 while missing star player Caitlin Clark, who has been sidelined due to injury throughout the season.

Conclusion

The Indiana Fever’s triumphant performance not only showcased their resilience but also turned the narrative around from ESPN’s bold predictions. This game will certainly be remembered in the WNBA history books, and for more updates on the WNBA click here.

As both teams move forward, the implications of this match could lead to both tactical re-evaluations and motivational boosts heading into the rest of the season. Stay tuned for upcoming games and highlights!