The Minnesota Lynx, led by Napheesa Collier, are set to compete against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever in the 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final on Tuesday. This in-season tournament matchup has attracted attention not only for the high stakes but also due to criticism of the league’s competitiveness by certain commentators.
Clay Travis, founder of Outkick, sparked debate when he shared a nearly one-minute clip from Game 5 of the 2024 WNBA Finals between the Lynx and the New York Liberty. The video highlighted several consecutive missed shots by both teams, which Travis used to question the professionalism of WNBA players.
In his remarks, Travis suggested that top boys’ high school teams would outperform the WNBA players.
“How many state title boy’s high school teams at the top division of any state, no matter how small the state, lose to either of these WNBA teams? Any?” —Clay Travis, Founder of Outkick
He further asserted that even the best boys’ state title team from North or South Dakota would defeat any leading WNBA squad.
“And which boy’s state title team would be the worst title team to actually be challenged? One of the Dakota’s? I still think the best North or South Dakota boy’s title team would smoke either of these teams,” —Clay Travis, Founder of Outkick
Despite the severity of these comments, few voices have publicly defended Collier and her league colleagues so far.
Key Indiana Fever Player Caitlin Clark Sidelined for Commissioner’s Cup Final
The upcoming final carries significant importance for Napheesa Collier and the Lynx, who have displayed strong performances throughout the season and are considered favorites for the Commissioner’s Cup. Their opponent, the Indiana Fever, usually led by star guard Caitlin Clark, promises an exciting contest for basketball fans.
Unfortunately, Clark won’t participate in Tuesday’s game due to a groin injury. The Indiana Fever announced that she is sidelined, having missed the previous two games with the same issue. Clark last played on June 24 against the Seattle Storm.
In her absence, Aari McDonald has stepped into the role of starting point guard for Indiana.
Interestingly, Napheesa Collier and Caitlin Clark have not faced each other this season. The Commissioner’s Cup final was set to mark their first encounter, but fans may need to wait until August 22, when the Lynx and Fever meet again in regular-season play.
The Broader Impact of Controversy on the Commissioner’s Cup and WNBA
Clay Travis’s outspoken critiques have placed a spotlight on the WNBA’s competitive standard just as the Commissioner’s Cup final approaches. The remarks have intensified conversations about the league’s level of play and the respect it commands among sports audiences.
For Napheesa Collier and her Minnesota Lynx teammates, the tournament represents an opportunity to demonstrate their skill and challenge such doubters on the court. Meanwhile, the absence of Caitlin Clark alters the dynamic of the final, possibly impacting how the Fever perform without their lead scorer.
As the Commissioner’s Cup continues to grow in prominence, the game Tuesday will serve as both a competitive battle and a stage for reaffirming the WNBA’s quality and appeal to fans nationwide.