Overcoming an early 13-point hole, defense clicking at its peak, 58 points dropped just by the starters (one shy of Minnesota’s total as a team); that’s how the Fever took the Commissioner’s Cup the last time these two met. But it still doesn’t erase the fact that the Lynx are the stronger side. Now, with both superstars sidelined, the ground feels more leveled than it did then. The only difference is that the Fever comes in with more than one challenge at hand, while Lynx arrives with an additional dangerous weapon. 

Where to Watch

• Date: August 22, 2025
• Time: 7:30 pm ET / 4:30 pm PT
• Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
• TV Channel: ION
• Streaming: Fubo

Injury Report

Minnesota Lynx

• Napheesa Collier (out): The MVP candidate twisted her ankle on August 2 during a blowout win over the Aces. She has missed five games since but is reportedly inching closer to a return.

Indiana Fever

• Sydney Colson (out for season): Tore her left ACL in the game against Phoenix, ending her campaign.
• Aari McDonald (out for season): Broke a bone in her right foot in the same game as Colson.
• Sophie Cunningham (out for season): Suffered an MCL injury just ten days later against the Sun.
• Caitlin Clark (out): Groin injury from July 15 against Connecticut, plus a bone bruise in her ankle during training. She has now missed 23 games this season.

Probable Lineups

Minnesota Lynx

• Jessica Shepard (#15)
• Bridget Carleton (#6)
• Alanna Smith (#8)
• Kayla McBride (#21)
• Courtney Williams (#10)

Indiana Fever

• Aliyah Boston (#7)
• Odyssey Sims (#1)
• Kelsey Mitchell (#0)
• Lexie Hull (#10)
• Natasha Howard (#6)

Indiana Fever vs. Minnesota Lynx prediction: Can the Lynx avenge Commissioner’s Cup defeat?

Minnesota comes into this game having seen its six-game winning streak snapped in New York. The Fever, meanwhile, enter off a much-needed win and with the advantage of rest: four days off compared to a back-to-back for Minnesota. But rest alone won’t change the reality.

Indiana’s season has been gutted by injuries. Losing Colson, McDonald, and Cunningham within ten days left their backcourt paper-thin. Add Clark’s extended absence, and suddenly, the Fever are running without four of their key players. While Clark was unavailable during the Cup game, too, all three (Aari, Sophie, Sydney) played 20+ minutes in the Commissioner’s Cup final. That changes everything about their depth, chemistry, and ability to keep up with Minnesota’s balanced attack.

Yet, not all hope is gone for the Fever. Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston and Natasha Howard, who were big during the win, can still swing big games. Indiana also signed veteran guard Shey Peddy to a seven-day hardship contract. And if we’re talking additions, on the flip side, Minnesota’s midseason trade for DiJonai Carrington has been paying immediate dividends. 

By the numbers:

• Indiana at home: 10-8
• Minnesota on the road: 11-6
• Fever scoring: 84.9 points per game, nearly nine points higher than what the Lynx allow (76.0).
• Lynx scoring: 86.2 points per game. about four points higher than what the Fever give up (82.0).
• Key stat: Indiana is 19-12 when scoring more than 76 points, while Minnesota thrives in keeping opponents below that threshold.

Head-to-head history

The Fever and Lynx have gone back and forth in their last five meetings, with Indiana holding the slight edge (3-2). That said, history only matters so much; the Fever are simply not the same team right now without Clark, Cunningham, Colson, and McDonald. Indiana has talent and home-court advantage, but the loss of depth is too glaring. The Lynx are simply deeper, healthier, and in better rhythm this season.

Prediction: Minnesota Lynx to win.