Caitlin Clark’s injury may have seen the WNBA ratings dip as of late, but the superstar guard’s Indiana Fever franchise still took the Commissioner’s Cup.
Beating MVP favourite Napheesa Collier and her legendary Minnesota Lynx team with a resounding 74‑59 win, the Fever put on a defensive clinic to win the WNBA Cup.
The WNBA had the idea of a cup years before the old NBA In-Season Tournament. So, can we provide the WNBA with some flashy yet great designs for a series of cup courts as well?
We want this as much as we want to see the Larry O’Brien Championship NBA Finals court return.
Last year’s Commissioner’s Cup MVP, Collier and her Lynx teammate, couldn’t go back-to-back this time. Now, Clark, the Fever, and Indiana own their first basketball championship hardware (aside from Eastern Conference Finals trophies). The question is, can they achieve the double like the Las Vegas Aces did in 2022?
All eyes are on CC, Aliyah Boston, and company, who are looking to take the league’s throne away from super-teams like the Aces and last year’s champs, the New York Liberty.
In this game against the growling Lynx, Indy rebounded from a 13-point deficit early in the contest. Luckily for them, they went on an 18-zip run to end the half, and that was all she wrote, as it was plain sailing from then on.
Collier struggled, as did Courtney Williams for Minnesota. So it was up to Alanna Smith to lead the Lynx with 15 points.
This second-half cruise to the title was all thanks to a balanced attack from the Fever. Commissioner’s Cup MVP Natasha Howard led the way with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists, but big Boston also had 12 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.
Kelsey Mitchell and Aari McDonald both had a dozen points, while Aari contributed two blocks. Meanwhile, enforcer Sophie Cunningham had 13 points and seven rebounds, making three of her five shots from downtown.
Now, imagine all this with Clark. That’s more hits than the sophomore sensation takes in an actual game.
The Fever’s strained path to success looks as certain as the common cold, no matter how many bumps and bruises they take along the way.
Speaking of which, let’s wish legendary halftime performer, Red Panda, well after her nasty and scary fall during her show at the break. The epic entertainer is known for riding a massive unicycle while balancing bowls all over her body, some of which she flips onto her head using her feet.
She suffered a wrist injury and couldn’t return, but we know she’ll be back. And what a talent. We have trouble balancing one or two bowls when we get our families ready for breakfast.
Just like with the Fever, it’s not over.
