Fever Capture Commissioner’s Cup Title Behind Dominant Defensive Effort Beating Minnesota 74-59

The Indiana Fever claimed their first Commissioner’s Cup Championship on Tuesday night, defeating the Minnesota Lynx 74-59 at Target Center. The win was powered by standout performances from Natasha Howard and Aliyah Boston, who each posted double-doubles to secure the title.

Howard, who was named the game’s MVP, recorded 16 points and 12 rebounds while shooting a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line. Boston added 12 points and 11 rebounds of her own, anchoring the Fever’s interior presence and helping stifle the Lynx after a hot start. Sophie Cunningham scored 13 points and pulled down seven rebounds. Kelsey Mitchell and Aari McDonald finished the night with 12 points each, with Mitchell extending her double-digit scoring streak to 17 games. Fever star guard Caitlin Clark did not play due to a left groin injury.

Minnesota opened the game with a 12-0 run and led 20-12 after the first quarter, holding Indiana to just 27.8% shooting. But the Fever responded with an 18-0 surge in the second quarter, flipping a 13-point deficit into a five-point halftime lead (32-27).

The Fever maintained control the rest of the way, outscoring the Lynx 42-32 in the second half. Indiana shot 61.5% from the field in the fourth quarter, with Cunningham chipping in seven of her 13 points during the final period. The Fever’s defense also forced 16 turnovers and limited Minnesota to just 34.9% shooting for the game.

Alanna Smith led Minnesota with 15 points, including three three-pointers, while Napheesa Collier contributed 12 points and nine rebounds. However, the Lynx’s offense faltered after the opening frame, with the starters going scoreless in the second quarter and committing eight turnovers in the third.

The Fever held Minnesota to only two assists in the fourth and never let the lead slip below six in the final 20 minutes, sealing the win in front of a sold-out crowd of 12,778.