WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Final: Lynx vs. Fever
The Commissioner’s Cup final game on Tuesday night presents an interesting contrast. The Minnesota Lynx, representatives of the Western Conference, have proven to be the most consistent team in the WNBA this season. On the other hand, the Indiana Fever, from the East, have had a season full of ups and downs, a situation similar to what many teams in the league have experienced.However, Clark’s participation on Tuesday night is uncertain, as he has been absent for seven games this season, first due to a quadriceps injury and more recently due to a groin injury. Both Clark and Minnesota’s forward, Napheesa Collier, were announced on Sunday as the two players most voted for by fans for the July 19th All-Star Game. While the Lynx (14-2), who hold the first place, are the current champions of the Commissioner’s Cup, the Fever (8-8) are participating in the Cup final for the first time since the WNBA’s season competition debuted in 2021.“Nobody said this season would be perfect for us,” said Indiana player Caitlin Clark on Sunday. “There will always be ups and downs. These are the moments we’ll remember. We’ve all been through a little adversity here. I’m proud of our group for sticking together and knowing that what we have in our locker room is all we need to win. Really proud of our group every day.”
Caitlin Clark
Key Factors for the Final
Here are some of the most important factors that could determine the winner of the Cup.
Collier has played well in the last two games after missing the previous two due to a back injury. She leads the WNBA in scoring (24.5 PPG) and was the MVP of last year’s Commissioner’s Cup final, which the Lynx won against the New York Liberty 94-89. However, the situation of Karlie Samuelson, a reserve player for the Lynx, is uncertain for Tuesday due to a foot injury she suffered on Sunday in the 102-63 victory against Connecticut. In addition, Damiris Dantas, a reserve forward for Indiana, will not be with the team, as she is playing for Brazil in the AmeriCup tournament in Chile.Which team has the experience and the home field advantage?Last season, the Lynx and Liberty played the Cup final in front of a large crowd at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. Tuesday’s game will be played at the Target Center in Minnesota, which has hosted the All-Star Game and many WNBA Finals games over the years.“I’m day to day,” Clark said. “Doing everything I can to put myself in a position to play the next game. That’s always my goal.”
Caitlin Clark
Clark called the confrontation “a great opportunity”.“I think it’s going to feel like a playoff game,” Collier said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. Our fans support us in every game, but especially in that environment… it’s going to be electric.”
Napheesa Collier
Who will win the three-point battle?Minnesota is the best WNBA team in 3-point shooting percentage (36.3%); Indiana ranks sixth (34.2%). Both teams are at the top of the league in 3-point shot defense: the Fever are first, holding their opponents to 27.5%, and the Lynx are second with 29.1%. Despite Clark’s recent slump in 3-point shooting in the three games prior to his groin injury (1 of 23), Clark’s threat to shoot from long distance stretches defenses. If she doesn’t play, the Fever still have 3-point threats in Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull, Sophie Cunningham, Sydney Colson, and Aari McDonald. Mitchell, who leads the Fever with 35 three-pointers, is coming off a 32-point performance, the most this season, in a win in Dallas. Hull leads Indiana in 3-point shooting percentage (22 of 44). Kayla McBride, who recently surpassed the 5,000-point mark in her career, is Minnesota’s best 3-point shooter: she has scored 34 with 41% effectiveness. The other four Lynx starters (Collier, Courtney Williams, Bridget Carleton, and Alanna Smith) have scored at least 19 three-pointers this season. The teams could cancel each other out from the arc, but if one gains a clear advantage, it could make a big difference in this match.“They have a great fanbase, a great atmosphere. A team that has a lot of experience together. They’ve been to the Finals, in big situations, they won the Commissioner’s Cup last year,” Clark said. “The staff will be really important, but we’re excited to go out there and try to get the win.”
Caitlin Clark
Who sets the pace?
The Fever, with Clark, a counterattack wizard, will play at the fastest possible pace. However, Indiana hasn’t gotten as much from their transition game as they’d like. The Fever are eleventh in the league in fast break points per game (10.1). Clark’s absence in seven games obviously affects that, but McDonald, recently signed for the rest of the season after previously playing three games on a hardship contract, should help the Fever with their speed and willingness to push the ball. The Lynx, who share the ball well, have been one of the best teams in transition, averaging 12.6 points (third in the WNBA). The Fever, who average 14.8 turnovers, must take special care in protecting the ball against the Lynx. Minnesota leads the league in points off turnovers (18.3). Indiana is sixth in that category (16.2).What defense will the Fever present?
Minnesota’s consistency is in part a product of its elite and reliable defense. The Lynx lead the WNBA in points allowed (74.1) and defensive rating (93.9) and are second in opponent field goal percentage (40.1). The Fever are far behind defensively: they allow their opponents 80.1 points and 42.9% shooting and have a defensive rating of 100.2. However, if Indiana has at least a credible defensive effort and is functioning offensively, that’s the formula for an upset. Aliyah Boston at forward is the defensive anchor for the Fever, and Hull is the force of incessant energy. Hull, McDonald, Mitchell, and Colson can be effective defenders on the ball. Boston has had a heavy load all season. She and Natasha Howard will try to stop Collier inside. Boston has also been very good offensively lately: averaging 21.4 points in the last five Fever games.
