Clark sat out her third straight recreation because of damage, nevertheless it did not matter, as a result of Indiana’s protection stole the present, limiting the Lynx to only 59 factors on 34.1 p.c taking pictures from the sphere (25 p.c from three-point vary).
Natasha Howard was a drive for Indiana with 16 factors, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and two steals. Her protection was stellar, too.
Indiana had 5 gamers attain double figures within the 74-59 win in Minnesota to take house its first Commissioner’s Cup title.
Listed here are three takeaways.
Napheesa Collier wasn’t herself
Collier, the front-runner for WNBA MVP, was held to her second-lowest level complete of the season on Tuesday (12 factors). She additionally went simply 6-of-18 from the sphere and missed each of her three-point makes an attempt.
The reigning Defensive Participant of the 12 months completed with a plus/minus score of -12.
Indiana actually had one thing to do together with her struggles, however after Collier has been so dominant this season, it was disappointing to see her battle in an enormous spot.
Natasha Howard was a no brainer for MVP
Howard did greater than lead the Fever in factors and rebounds. The previous Defensive Participant of the 12 months pestered Collier all night time.
Sophie Cunningham additionally supplied an enormous activate the bench, connecting on three treys as Indiana rallied from an early double-digit deficit.
But, the Fever do not win this recreation with out Howard. Aliyah Boston did her half with a double-double. Kelsey Mitchell was strong, too, with 12 factors.
It was a crew effort, however successful with out Clark the best way Indiana did is an encouraging signal for the Fever’s title hopes, and no one performed an even bigger function in that than Howard.
Fever are harmful
Indiana has been talked about as a WNBA title contender at varied factors this season. Nonetheless, the Fever are simply 8-8 and tied for the final playoff spot.
Clark lacking seven video games hasn’t helped. When Caitlin is enjoying, she’s turning the ball over an excessive amount of and lacking too many threes, enduring one of many worst shooting stretches of her career before sitting out the past three games.
There have additionally been moments of glory, equivalent to her season-opening triple-double or the historic performance against New York.
If Indiana can get that model of Clark and persistently play because it did on Tuesday night time, there is not a crew within the WNBA the Fever cannot beat.
Successful a postseason sequence is one other matter, nevertheless it’s all on the desk, particularly if Clark will get proper.
