Scuffle breaks out in Fever win against Sun

In a physical and emotionally charged showdown, the Indiana Fever clinched their first-ever Commissioner’s Cup final appearance with an 88–71 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The win moves Indiana to 6–5 on the season and secures a 4–1 record in Commissioner’s Cup play, giving them the edge over the New York Liberty thanks to a head-to-head victory last Saturday. For the first time in the five-year history of the Commissioner’s Cup, the Fever are headed to the championship game.

Caitlin Clark led the way with 20 points, six assists, and four three-pointers in a game that was as intense emotionally as it was on the scoreboard. Kelsey Mitchell added 17 points, while Natasha Howard posted a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds — the 50th of her career. Damiris Dantas also came up big off the bench with a season-high 13 points.

The Fever’s win, combined with Atlanta’s loss to New York earlier in the night, locked in Indiana’s spot in the Commissioner’s Cup Final. The game’s physical tone boiled over in the third quarter. With Indiana leading 55–45, Sun guard Jacy Sheldon poked Clark in the eye while attempting to disrupt a pass. Clark grabbed her face and immediately confronted Sheldon, resulting in shoving between the two. Sun center Tina Charles quickly intervened, but tensions escalated further when Marina Mabrey entered the fray and knocked Clark to the ground, causing her to fall into a referee.

Following a lengthy review, Sheldon’s foul was upgraded to a Flagrant 1. Clark, Charles, and Mabrey were all assessed technical fouls. Clark went on to hit three free throws, extending Indiana’s lead to 58–45.

The incident fired up the home crowd, who loudly booed the officials' ruling and jeered Mabrey each time she touched the ball for the rest of the game. With 46.1 seconds remaining, the tension reached its peak. Sheldon made a late steal and was wrapped up hard under the basket by Sophie Cunningham. A brief shoving match ensued, resulting in ejections for Sheldon, Cunningham, and Sun guard Lindsay Allen.

Despite the chaos, Indiana never lost control of the game. They led by double digits for most of the second half and outplayed Connecticut on both ends of the floor.

Now above .500 for the first time since early in the season, the Fever head out West for a three-game road swing starting Thursday — but their sights are clearly set on a much bigger prize: a Commissioner’s Cup title.