Despite being ranked No. 8 in the regular-season standings, the Fever played like champions on Tuesday night in Minneapolis. Missing star rookie Caitlin Clark — out with a groin strain — the Fever leaned on their depth, defensive grit, and veteran leadership to pull off the upset.
Clark, though sidelined, was very much part of the celebration. Sporting her Nike Kobe 5 Protros, she led the postgame locker room Champagne celebration, embracing the moment with her team and drawing laughs with playful banter during teammate Sydney Colson’s press conference.
“We were holding up No. 1 in the pictures, but technically we’re eighth,” said Colson. “But we were No. 1 today — and that’s important.”
The Commissioner’s Cup, a midseason championship with a hefty bonus payout and playoff implications, has historically foreshadowed future postseason success. The past two cup finalists went on to compete for the WNBA title. But no Cup champion has won the Finals since the Las Vegas Aces in 2022 — a fact Indiana hopes to change.
The win was especially meaningful for young stars like Aliyah Boston, who credited Colson’s championship experience (from her Aces days) as a guiding force.
Now the question remains: Can Indiana turn a one-day title into a full-season run?
With a current 8-8 record and their biggest star sidelined, the Fever still face hurdles. But Tuesday night proved they can rise to the occasion — and that championship culture might already be taking root in Indiana.
