Fever Beat Lynx to Win WNBA Commissioner's Cup With Caitlin Clark Out Due to Injury

The Indiana Fever have won their first WNBA Commissioner's Cup.

The Fever, despite being without star Caitlin Clark, defeated the Minnesota Lynx 74-59 to claim the fifth-ever Commissioner's Cup.

Clark has been dealing with a groin injury and was listed as questionable for the game, but ultimately didn't suit up for the Fever. Luckily for Indiana, a big night from Natasha Howard gave it enough for the win.

Howard led the way for the Fever with 16 points, 12 rebounds and a pair of steals. Aliyah Boston added a double-double with 12 points and 11 boards, and the Fever had three other players in double figures.

Howard's performance earned her a unanimous Commissioner's Cup MVP.

Minnesota's Napheesa Collier has been in MVP form all season, but struggled on Tuesday with just 12 points on 6-of-18 from the field. The Lynx shot just 34.9 percent from the field and 25 percent from deep.

Even with the loss, Minnesota is off the a tremendous start this year. The Lynx sit atop the WNBA standings at 14-3 and are well on their way to a great season. A second consecutive Commissioner's Cup win just wasn't in the cards for them on Tuesday.

The Fever have had a decent season so far, improving to 9-8 with the win, but they're still far from the top of the league. A win in the Commissioner's Cup plus Clark's eventual return should give them some momentum as the halfway point in the season nears.