Aliyah Boston leads Indiana Fever win in a surprising upset, as the Indiana Fever captured the 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup title against the Minnesota Lynx on their home court. Playing at the Target Center, Indiana delivered a statement victory by defeating top-ranked Minnesota 74-59 on a night when star rookie Caitlin Clark was unavailable.
Indiana Delivers Major Upset Minus Caitlin Clark
With Minnesota entering the Commissioner’s Cup championship as the WNBA’s leading team at 14-2 and favored by 10.5 points, the odds were not in Indiana’s favor. Despite these odds and playing without standout Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston stepped up where it mattered most. Boston recorded a double-double, finishing with 12 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and two steals. She reignited memories at the Target Center, where she was once named Final Four Most Outstanding Player.
NVP Natasha Howard also played a critical role, ensuring Indiana’s momentum didn’t wane. The Fever’s success was built in part on their remarkable 18-0 run to close the first half, flipping a deficit into a commanding lead that Minnesota could never overcome. The energy and poise displayed by Indiana’s lineup kept the Lynx from rallying through the second half.
“We knew that we had to come in here with great energy, and they were going to go on runs,”
—Aliyah Boston, Player
“For us, it was about containing those runs and going on our own.”
—Aliyah Boston, Player
Financial Rewards and Charitable Impact
Participating players from both Indiana and Minnesota share a combined $500,000 prize pool, with an additional $120,000 in cryptocurrency provided by Coinbase. Each player in the championship game will receive $5,000 in digital currency. While exact individual payouts haven’t been announced, winning Fever players are expected to earn between $30,000 and $45,000 each, a notable supplement given that Aliyah Boston earns $83,371 per year, according to Her Hoop Stats.
Indiana’s win also brings a $10,000 donation to the team’s chosen charity. The Fever selected the Peace Learning Center, an organization focused on promoting community learning and inspiring peace in Indiana.
Context for the Game and Its Significance
The Commissioner’s Cup contest is unique in that it does not affect regular season standings, and individual performances are not added to official season statistics. This setup allowed both teams to play with high energy and intensity, striving for pride, financial bonuses, and bragging rights.
While the win will not boost Indiana’s win-loss record, it signals the team’s growing ability to challenge league leaders, even without a key player such as Caitlin Clark. Boston, Howard, and their teammates showed that Indiana can rise to critical moments, and this victory may have implications for their confidence and future games. Recognition will also extend to their chosen charity, raising the profile of the Peace Learning Center in the process.