The Indiana Fever showcased a dominant performance against the Connecticut Sun, securing an 88-71 victory and clinching the Eastern Conference title in the 2025 Commissioner's Cup. The dynamic duo of veteran Natasha Howard and rookie sensation Caitlin Clark spearheaded the Fever's triumph, leaving the Sun struggling to keep pace.
Natasha Howard delivered a commanding double-double, contributing 16 points and 12 rebounds. Her presence in the paint was a constant challenge for the Sun's defense, creating opportunities for her teammates and controlling the boards. Howard's veteran leadership and ability to seamlessly integrate into the Fever's frontcourt have been invaluable this season. Her performance against the Sun underscored her importance to the team's success, marking her 50th career double-double.
Caitlin Clark added 20 points, along with six assists and four 3-pointers, demonstrating her growing confidence and impact in the WNBA. Clark's scoring ability and court vision were instrumental in the Fever's offensive flow, and her long-range shooting kept the Sun's defense stretched thin. After missing some weeks due to injury, Clark returned with a bang, reaffirming her status as a key player for the Fever. In a previous game against the New York Liberty, Clark had an excellent performance dropping 32 points, nine assists, eight rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Former WNBA All-Star Rebecca Lobo expressed awe at Clark's performance, noting she had never seen anything like it in her almost 30 years around the league.
The Fever established control early in the game, with Clark hitting her first three 3-pointers, helping Indiana build a 47-39 lead by halftime. The third quarter saw Indiana extend their advantage, outscoring the Sun 21-13 to take a commanding 68-52 lead. Damiris Dantas contributed seven points in the fourth quarter, while Clark and Sophie Cunningham added five each, sealing the victory for the Fever.
The game was not without its physical moments. Late-game tensions resulted in multiple ejections, with Sophie Cunningham of the Fever and Jacy Sheldon and Lindsay Allen of the Sun being sent off the court. Earlier in the game, Sheldon poked Clark in the eye, and Marina Mabrey shoved Clark to the floor, resulting in technical fouls.
Kelsey Mitchell contributed 17 points to the Fever's score, while Damiris Dantas added 13 off the bench. Tina Charles led the Sun with 20 points, supported by Olivia Nelson-Ododa with 14 points and Jaelyn Brown with 13.
With this win, the Indiana Fever secured their spot in the Commissioner's Cup Championship game with a 4-1 record. They will face the Minnesota Lynx on July 1. The Fever's ability to maintain their composure and execute their game plan, even amidst the physical play and late-game ejections, highlights their growth as a team. As they prepare for the Commissioner's Cup Final, the Fever will look to build on this momentum and continue their quest for a championship.
