Natasha Howard Powers Fever to First Ever Commissioner’s Cup Title
The Indiana Fever captured their first-ever Commissioner’s Cup, defeating the Minnesota Lynx 74–59 at the Target Center on July 1, 2025. Natasha Howard was named MVP, posting a stat line of 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists, guiding the team’s balanced effort.
Turning Point
Minnesota jumped out to a 13-point first-quarter lead (20–7). But Indiana stormed back in the second, closing the period with an 18–0 run to go up 32–27 at halftime. They never looked back.
Key Performers
- Natasha Howard led the charge, clamping down defensively and hitting clutch shots—earning unanimous Cup MVP honors.
- Aliyah Boston had a double-double (12 pts, 11 rebounds), and Sophie Cunningham, Kelsey Mitchell, and Aari McDonald each scored 12–13 points.
- Minnesota struggled offensively, shooting just 34.9% overall and 25% from three, snapping their league-leading season-long Cup momentum.
Series Context
This fifth annual Cup ran from June 1–17, with Indiana (4–1) and Minnesota (5–1) emerging as conference leaders. The Fever’s first appearance in the final delivered their first title. They also secured a $500,000 prize and additional funding for charity.
Impact and Reaction
- Underdog win: The Fever were 10.5-point underdogs but stunned the favored Lynx.
- Defensive dominance: Coach Stephanie White praised the team’s effort, emphasizing the importance of resilience without Caitlin Clark.
- Lynx setbacks: Minnesota, leading the WNBA at 14–2 in regular season, had an unusually off-night.
