On July 1 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, the Indiana Fever claimed their first WNBA Commissioner’s Cup championship by defeating the Minnesota Lynx 74–59. This triumph was notable as the Fever achieved the victory without the presence of their star guard, Caitlin Clark, who was sidelined due to injury. The Fever win without Caitlin Clark surprised many fans and sparked widespread attention across WNBA circles.
Caitlin Clark missed the final after suffering a left groin injury on June 24, leading head coach Stephanie White to withhold her from the game as a precaution to protect her long-term health. Despite not playing, Clark remained on the bench, offering encouragement and strategic guidance to her teammates. Throughout the season, Clark has been a key contributor, averaging 18.2 points and 8.9 assists over nine games.
Fan Reactions and Social Media Buzz Following the Fever’s Victory
The Fever’s win ignited a buzz on social media, especially on X, where fans expressed surprise and admiration for Indiana’s ability to secure the championship without Clark’s on-court presence. The phrase
The Fever could win without Caitlin Clark,
shared by the user @SPORTSPINZ, quickly resonated with supporters and became a popular rallying cry.
Other fans on X debated the team’s future direction. One user wrote,
They won a championship without Clark ?? .. They should trade her; they’ll probably win a WNBA championship if they do.
Another commented on the team overcoming adversity by winning with their best player sidelined, saying,
Winning with their best player in street clothes is overcoming adversity.
Some supporters also criticized the league’s promotional materials, arguing that Clark’s prominent placement on the Cup Final graphic was unfair, given that Natasha Howard was named the unanimous MVP. Comments included,
Caitlin didn’t even suit up, yet she’s front and center on the graphic while MVP Natasha Howard is relegated to the side.
Another remarked,
Cc was a no-show once again on the big stage, lol; take her face out this picture.
Overview of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup and Tournament Structure
The WNBA Commissioner’s Cup, inaugurated in 2021, is an in-season tournament designed to increase competitive intensity and fan engagement during the regular schedule. This separate event features designated games within the regular season, the results of which determine the finalists for a championship game.
During the 2025 tournament, Eastern Conference teams each played five Cup games against conference opponents from June 1 to June 17, while Western Conference teams, expanded to seven with the addition of the Golden State Valkyries, contested six Cup matchups. The teams with the best Cup records in their respective conferences advanced to the Cup Final on July 1.
The Cup champion receives a prize pool of $500,000 and an additional $120,000 in cryptocurrency provided by sponsor Coinbase. Indiana represented the Peace Learning Center, while Minnesota backed the ACLU of Minnesota during this competition.
Implications of Fever’s Victory and Caitlin Clark’s Recovery Timeline
Indiana’s Commissioner’s Cup win provides momentum as they continue their regular-season campaign, currently standing at an 8-8 record. It is important to note that the tournament results do not affect regular-season standings.
The timeline for Caitlin Clark’s return remains uncertain. Stephanie White emphasized the cautious day-to-day approach to Clark’s rehabilitation, stating,
We still don’t know. I mean, it’s a day-to-day thing. [She] did some stuff at practice today, making sure we don’t have any setbacks, and revisit tomorrow at shootaround and see how she feels.
Indiana’s medical team is prioritizing Clark’s long-term health as she recovers. In the meantime, the Fever are preparing for a challenging series of five consecutive home games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Starting on July 3 against the Las Vegas Aces, they will face the Los Angeles Sparks, Golden State Valkyries, Atlanta Dream, and Dallas Wings in back-to-back matchups through July 11. This stretch will test the Fever’s depth and resilience as they build on their Cup success without their star player on the floor.