The Commissioner’s Cup last on Tuesday evening presents a distinction: The Minnesota Lynx, representing the Western Convention, have been the WNBA’s most constant group this season. The Indiana Fever, representing the East, have had a roller-coaster marketing campaign, much like what many groups across the league have skilled.
“No person mentioned this season was going to be good for us,” Indiana guard Caitlin Clark mentioned Sunday. “There’s all the time going to be ups and downs. These are the moments we’ll look again on. All people’s been by way of somewhat little bit of adversity right here. [I’m] giving our group credit score for with the ability to stick collectively and know that no matter’s in our locker room is all we have to win. Actually happy with our group each single day.”
Nevertheless, Clark’s availability Tuesday evening (8 ET, Prime) is unsure. She has missed seven video games this season, first with a quad damage and extra just lately a groin damage.
Clark and Minnesota ahead Napheesa Collier have been introduced Sunday as the highest two vote-getters in fan balloting for the July 19 All-Star Recreation. Whereas the first-place Lynx (14-2) are the defending Commissioner’s Cup champions, the Fever (8-8) are showing within the Cup last for the primary time because the WNBA’s in-season competitors debuted in 2021.
Here is a have a look at among the largest components that would decide the Cup winner.
Will each groups be at full power?
If Clark and Collier are each taking part in Tuesday, it is going to be a lift to this matchup.
Clark labored on some offensive expertise with no contact on the Fever’s apply Sunday, coach Stephanie White mentioned.
“I will be day-to-day,” Clark mentioned. “Doing every part I can to place myself in place to play the subsequent recreation. That is all the time my purpose.”
Collier has performed nicely the previous two video games after lacking the earlier two with a again damage. She leads the WNBA in scoring (24.5 PPG) and was MVP of final 12 months’s Commissioner’s Cup last, which the Lynx received over the New York Liberty 94-89.
Nevertheless, Lynx reserve guard Karlie Samuelson left Sunday’s 102-63 win over Connecticut with a foot damage, so her standing for Tuesday is unsure. And Indiana reserve ahead Damiris Dantas shouldn’t be with the group as she is taking part in for Brazil within the AmeriCup event in Chile.
Which group has the expertise and home-court edge?
Final season, the Lynx and Liberty performed the Cup last earlier than an enormous crowd at UBS Area in Elmont, New York. (Barclays Middle in Brooklyn, the Liberty’s common residence court docket, was internet hosting the NBA draft.) Tuesday’s recreation will probably be at Minnesota’s Goal Middle, which has been residence to the All-Star Recreation plus many WNBA Finals video games over time.
“I feel it’ll really feel like a playoff recreation,” Collier mentioned. “It should be actually enjoyable. Our followers present up for us each recreation, however particularly in that surroundings … it’ll be electrifying.”
Clark known as the matchup “an enormous alternative.”
“They’ve an awesome crowd, nice surroundings. A group that is very skilled with each other. They have been within the Finals, been in massive conditions, received the Commissioner’s Cup final 12 months,” Clark mentioned. “Personnel will probably be actually necessary, however we’re excited to get on the market and attempt to get the win.”
Who wins the battle of the arc?
Minnesota is the highest 3-point-shooting group within the WNBA by proportion (36.3); Indiana ranks sixth (34.2). Each groups are on the prime of the league in 3-point discipline purpose protection: The Fever are first, holding opponents to 27.5%, and the Lynx second at 29.1%.
Regardless of Clark’s latest 3-point capturing hunch within the three video games earlier than she went out together with her groin damage (1-of-23), the specter of Clark capturing from lengthy vary stretches out defenses.
If she shouldn’t be taking part in, the Fever nonetheless have 3-point threats in Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull, Sophie Cunningham, Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald. Mitchell, who leads the Fever with 35 3-pointers, is coming off a season-high 32 factors in a victory at Dallas. Hull leads Indiana in 3-point proportion (22-of-44).
Kayla McBride, who just lately crossed the 5,000-point mark for her profession, is Minnesota’s prime 3-point shooter: She has made 34 on 41% capturing. The opposite 4 starters for the Lynx — Collier, Courtney Williams, Bridget Carleton and Alanna Smith — all have at the very least 19 3-pointers this season.
The groups may cancel one another out behind the arc, but when one will get a transparent benefit, it may make an enormous distinction on this recreation.
Who units the tempo?
The Fever with Clark, a fast-break wizard, will go at as quick a tempo as attainable. Nevertheless, Indiana has not gotten as a lot from its transition recreation because it want to. The Fever are eleventh within the league in fast-break factors per recreation (10.1). Clark being out seven video games clearly impacts that, however McDonald — just lately signed for the remainder of the season after beforehand taking part in three video games on an damage hardship contract — ought to assist the Fever together with her quickness and willingness to push the ball.
The Lynx, who share the ball nicely, have been probably the greatest groups on the quick break, averaging 12.6 factors (third within the WNBA).
The Fever, who averaged 14.8 turnovers, have to be particularly cautious about taking good care of the ball towards the Lynx. Minnesota leads the league in factors off turnovers (18.3). Indiana is sixth in that class (16.2).
Which Fever protection reveals up?
Minnesota’s consistency is partially the product of its elite, dependable protection. The Lynx lead the WNBA in factors allowed (74.1) and defensive ranking (93.9) and are second in opponent discipline purpose proportion (40.1).
The Fever are nicely behind defensively: They permit foes 80.1 factors and 42.9% capturing and have a 100.2 defensive ranking. Nevertheless, if Indiana has at the very least a reputable defensive effort and is clicking offensively, that is the system for an upset.
Ahead Aliyah Boston is the defensive anchor for the Fever, and Hull is the nonstop power power. Hull, McDonald, Mitchell and Colson all may be efficient on-ball defenders.
Boston has had an enormous load all season. She and Natasha Howard will attempt to decelerate Collier inside. Boston has been excellent offensively of late, too: She is averaging 21.4 factors within the Fever’s previous 5 video games.