No one gave them a chance.
Not the analysts.
Not the oddsmakers.
Not even ESPN’s top WNBA panel, which boldly declared that “Minnesota will win by double digits” just hours before tip-off.
But by the time the final buzzer sounded, the only prediction that held up was this:
Never count out a team with nothing to lose.
Indiana Fever, without their star Caitlin Clark, pulled off the biggest upset of the Commissioner’s Cup tournament, defeating the heavily favored Minnesota Lynx 78–69 in a performance built on grit, toughness, and a hunger the league just keeps underestimating.
And now?
The internet is turning ESPN’s prediction into a meme — and the Fever into a movement.
The Setup: No Clark, No Chance?
Just hours before tip-off, ESPN’s preview segment aired a confident headline:
“Caitlin Clark ruled out — Lynx all but guaranteed to dominate.”
Panelists cited:
Indiana’s “lack of identity” without Clark
Minnesota’s postseason experience
A “leadership vacuum” left by Clark’s absence
And while all of it sounded reasonable on paper…
It ignored one thing: the people who still showed up.
The Game: Fever Didn’t Just Survive — They Took Control
From the first quarter, it was clear the Fever didn’t come to fold.
🟢 NaLyssa Smith was unstoppable in the paint — 20 points, 12 rebounds
🟢 Aliyah Boston took over the second half, dominating the glass
🟢 Kelsey Mitchell scored 19 and set the tone defensively
🟢 Erica Wheeler brought veteran energy and vocal leadership
Minnesota tried every defensive scheme — none of it worked.
“We didn’t play like Clark was missing,” Boston said postgame.
“We played like she was watching.”
ESPN’s Bold Prediction: Now Fueling a Backlash
The most-shared moment after the game?
A clip of ESPN’s WNBA desk saying:
“If Indiana scores more than 65 without Caitlin, I’ll be shocked.”
Final score? Fever 78, Lynx 69.
Comments under ESPN’s Instagram post exploded:
“Y’all might wanna retire this segment.”
“Clark didn’t play. But the Fever still made you look silly.”
“They don’t watch the games. They just watch the headlines.”
Caitlin Clark’s Absence: Felt, But Not Feared
Clark missed the game due to ongoing ankle management — a decision made by the team just 24 hours before tip-off.
And while her presence on the sideline was calm and supportive, it was her absence that gave the Fever space to grow.
“They played free,” said FS1’s Rachel Nichols.
“And sometimes, the shadow of a star — even a good one — can weigh too much on young teams.”
The Internet Reacts: Underdog Energy Goes Viral
#FeverWithoutClark
#78Not65
#ESPNWrongAgain
#ThisTeamCanBall
#CommissionersCupChaos
All trended within an hour.
“Clark built the spotlight. Tonight her team stepped into it,” one fan wrote.
“ESPN owes the Fever an apology. And maybe a new panel,” said another.
“Imagine being counted out just because your rookie sat down — and then proving the whole league wrong,” read one TikTok with 2M+ views.
The Locker Room: Tired of Being Overlooked
Players didn’t say much about ESPN directly — but the energy was clear.
Aliyah Boston:
“We knew what people were saying. And we knew what we had.”
Sophie Cunningham:
“You keep talking about who’s missing. Maybe talk about who’s here.”
Assistant Coach Jessie Miller:
“We didn’t just win this game. We changed the tone.”
What ESPN Got Wrong — And Why It Matters
The issue wasn’t just a bad prediction.
It was a pattern.
A recurring underestimation of a Fever team that has:
Rallied from double-digit deficits
Grown more dangerous in tight games
Built chemistry behind the scenes — not just through Clark’s stardom
“Clark is the star,” said ESPN’s Monica McNutt.
“But this team has been growing roots underneath the surface. Tonight, we saw the first bloom.”
Final Thoughts: This Wasn’t a Fluke. It Was a Warning.
Caitlin Clark is everything they say she is.
But tonight?
Her team proved something different:
They don’t need her on the floor to prove they belong.
They needed belief.
They needed respect.
They needed space.
And now that they’ve won without her?
You better believe what they’ll do when she’s back.
