No Caitlin Clark, no problem for Indiana.
In their third consecutive game without their superstar guard, who is dealing with a groin injury, the Fever turned in a gritty performance on the road to beat the Lynx 74-59 and win the WNBA Commissioner's Cup title.
Natasha Howard stepped up in Clark's absence and stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points and 12 rebounds, and she locked down multiple Minnesota players on the defensive end. Sophie Cunningham provided a huge boost off the bench, scoring 13 points and going 3-5 from beyond the arc, including a pair of 3-pointers at critical moments in the game.
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Indiana won a $500,000 prize pool for claiming the Commissioner's Cup championship, and it's interesting to note that the teams that have played in the title game the last two seasons have met in the WNBA Finals. Could we see a rematch of this game come November?
The Sporting News tracked the live score and highlights from the WNBA Commissioner's Cup Final between the Fever and Lynx.
MORE: Sophie Cunningham takes dig at WNBA expansion cities | Players accused of 'snubbing' Caitlin Clark in ASG voting
Fever vs. Lynx final score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| Fever | 12 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 74 |
| Lynx | 20 | 7 | 15 | 17 | 59 |
WNBA HQ: Live WNBA scores | 2025 WNBA schedule | Updated WNBA standings
Fever vs. Lynx highlights from 2025 WNBA Commissioner's Cup final
10:01 p.m. — The benches are emptying. The Fever will win the 2025 WNBA Commissioner's Cup with a gritty performance on the road.
9:55 p.m. — The Fever are going to Aliyah Boston in crunch time, and she delivers with a beautiful baby hook over Collier, the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year. Indiana leads 67-53.
9:48 p.m. — Cunningham nails another triple to put the Fever up 11 with just over four minutes to go. She has 11 points off the bench and is 3-5 from downtown.
End of third quarter: Fever 52, Lynx 42
9:30 p.m. — The Fever lead 52-42 heading into the fourth quarter. $500,000 in prize money is on the line tonight.
9:26 p.m. — Alanna Smith makes a three for the Lynx to cut the Indiana lead to 50-40. She has eight points in the quarter.
9:18 p.m. — Natasha Howard picks up a steal and takes it coast to coast. Indiana goes up 45-34, their largest lead of the game.
Natasha Howard’s takeaway for two to force a timeout is our Rush Bowls Play of the Game 💥 pic.twitter.com/CSni2o8sG0
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 2, 2025
End of second quarter: Fever 32, Lynx 27
8:50 p.m. — Minnesota didn't score in the final 8:13 of the second quarter. Indiana leads heading into halftime.
8:45 p.m. — Sophie Cunningham hits a three to give the Fever the lead. Indiana is on a 14-0 run.
Aliyah Boston scoops up the loose ball and kicks it out to Sophie Cunningham for the three and the lead‼️
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 2, 2025
We ended the first half on an 18-0 run 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Y7ax3DIOul
8:38 p.m. — The undermanned Fever are fighting back in the second quarter. Kelsey Mitchell hits a midrange jumper to make it a four point game. The Lynx haven't scored in more than five minutes.
8:30 p.m. — Jessica Shephard has provided a spark off the bench for the Lynx, including this pretty spinning layup.
😵💫😵💫😵💫 pic.twitter.com/KiIQ5G3CqL
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) July 2, 2025
End of first quarter: Lynx 20, Fever 12
8:22 p.m. — Indiana struggled mightily on offense in the first quarter, shooting just 28% from the field and committing five turnovers.
8:15 p.m. — The Lynx are on a 12-0 run, forcing Fever coach Stephanie White to call an early timeout. Minnesota's showing why they have the best record in the WNBA.
8:10 p.m. — Courtney Williams drains a triple to give Minnesota the early lead.
FROM DOWNTOWN. 👌 pic.twitter.com/Wemv9YtIjU
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) July 2, 2025
8:05 p.m. — Napheesa Collier makes a midrange jumper, and we are underway in Minnesota.
Pregame
7:40 p.m. — Here is the Lynx starting lineup for tonight's game.
COMMISSIONER CUP STARTERS⬇️ pic.twitter.com/IvLNRhJJT3
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) July 1, 2025
7:30 p.m. — Here is the Fever starting lineup for tonight's game.
Commissioner's Cup 🖐️ pic.twitter.com/lBMCV6dexB
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 1, 2025
6:10 p.m. — The Fever did not get the injury news they were hoping for ahead of the Commissioner's Cup, as Caitlin Clark will miss her third straight game with a groin injury.
Status Report for tonight's game against Minnesota:
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 1, 2025
Damiris Dantas - NWT (national team obligation)
Caitlin Clark - Out (left groin) https://t.co/9gfZVRrMF7
Fever vs. Lynx start time
- Date: Tuesday, July 1
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
The Fever against the Lynx in the Commissioner's Cup Finals will be the only WNBA game of the evening, tipping off at 8:00 p.m. ET from Minnesota.
How to watch WNBA Commissioner's Cup
- TV Channel: N/A
- Live Stream: Amazon Prime Video
The Commissioner's Cup Final between the Fever and Lynx will be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video on Tuesday night as part of the league's deal with the streaming service.
Indiana Fever schedule 2025
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV Channel/Live Stream |
| July 3 | vs. Las Vegas Aces | 7:00 p.m. | Prime Video |
| July 5 | vs. Las Angeles Sparks | 7:00 p.m. | NBA TV |
| July 9 | vs. Golden State Valkyries | 12:00 p.m. | NBA TV |
| July 11 | vs. Atlanta Dream | 7:30 p.m. | ION |
| July 13 | vs. Dalas Wings | 1:00 p.m. | ABC |
Minnesota Lynx schedule 2025
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| July 3 | vs. Golden State Valkyries | 8:00 p.m. |
| July 6 | vs. Chicago Sky | 7:00 p.m. |
| July 9 | @ Phoenix Mercury | 3:30 p.m. |
| July 10 | @ Los Angeles Sparks | 3:00 p.m. |
| July 12 | @Chicago Sky | 1:00 p.m. |