| Quick Answer Lynx vs Fever Final Score: The Indiana Fever beat the Minnesota Lynx 96-77 on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Caitlin Clark had a near triple-double, finishing with 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists. It was the Fever’s biggest win over the league’s top team all season, and it came in Clark’s final home game of the regular season. |
Some games just have a different feel to them, and this was one of them. The Minnesota Lynx walked in as the best team in the league. The Indiana Fever walked out with one of their most convincing wins of the year. Here’s everything worth knowing about it.
What Was the Final Score?
Let’s not mince around the headline. Indiana won 96-77, handing Minnesota their biggest loss of the 2026 season. The result was far from a shocker as the Fever stormed out of the blocks and were up by as many as 29 points in the second quarter after a 14-2 run to finish the first quarter. A furious Lynx response in the third quarter, which saw Minnesota outscore Indiana 30-14, was not enough for Lynx to claw back the lead.
Context is important here, as Minnesota were one of the best teams of the regular season. Sitting atop the WNBA standings with the best record in the league, a loss of almost 20 points was a rare occurrence for the Lynx who had been dominant throughout the campaign.
How Did Caitlin Clark Play?
It is probably the part for which you have come here, so it is here: Clark. She scored a phenomenal 27 points, grabbed a nice 9 rebounds and made 7 assists. It is close to a triple-double, so, perhaps, she could have scored a triple-double if the circumstances were more beneficial for her.
Her contribution was crucial, not only because she scored many points for Indiana University. Indeed, the whole team played splendidly, and the “Big Three” (Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell) scored an incredible 67 points together. The game was definitely in her hands, and she knew it: she made a huge three-pointer in the fourth quarter, which allowed Indiana to re-establish the double-digit lead over Minnesota. It was a thing that stopped Minnesota from mounting a comeback.
Furthermore, Clark was not the only one who scored impressive numbers. Cunningham came from the substitutes’ benches and drilled 3 three-pointers, giving the team a much-needed spark.
Why This Game Mattered
It wasn’t just another regular-season match-up. A few things made it bigger than usual:
- Clark’s final home game of the regular season. Fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse got to send her off in style before Indiana’s playoff run begins.
- A statement against the league’s best team. Beating a 32-win Lynx side by 19 points is the kind of result that gets people talking, especially heading into the playoffs.
- Bounce-back energy. Indiana had lost a tough game to the Washington Mystics just days earlier. This win flipped the mood in the locker room completely.
- Minnesota was missing a key piece. Lynx rookie standout Olivia Miles sat out with a calf injury, which clearly affected Minnesota’s rhythm, even though star forward Napheesa Collier was still on the floor.
A Rough Night for Minnesota
It’s worth being fair to the Lynx here too. Minnesota struggled with turnovers and Indiana made them pay for it, scoring 21 points off turnovers by the Lynx compared to just 9 points Minnesota managed to score off Indiana’s errors. Indiana also had 11 steals to Minnesota’s five, showing who was dictating the game’s tempo.
Napheesa Collier did not hold back her disappointment after the loss, saying the Lynx’s performance was “embarrassing.” This is a strong way for a team leader to describe their subpar performance, so it’s safe to say that Minnesota’s game was far below their usual standard.
What Happens Next
Even despite the loss, Minnesota still had enough breathing room in the standings to stay ahead of the Golden State Valkyries for the top seed in the playoffs. But the game between them wasn’t over yet. Indiana and Minnesota were set to meet again in just two days in Minneapolis for the conclusion of the regular season, so that the Lynx would have a chance to respond quickly.
For Indiana, the win was just what their team needed to build up their confidence for the upcoming postseason, and the home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs was still very much at stake.
Quick Recap Table
| Stat | Indiana Fever | Minnesota Lynx |
| Final Score | 96 | 77 |
| Halftime Score | 57 | 34 |
| Steals | 11 | 5 |
| Points off Turnovers | 21 | 9 |
| Caitlin Clark’s Line | 27 pts, 9 reb, 7 ast | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Lynx vs Fever game?
Indiana Fever won 96-77 over the Minnesota Lynx on 22 September 2026.
How many points did Caitlin Clark score?
Caitlin Clark scored 27 points, along with 9 rebounds and 7 assists.
Did Caitlin Clark get a triple-double?
No, she fell short by two rebounds, but her 27-9-7 line was one of her strongest performances of the season.
Why did Minnesota lose by so much?
Poor ball security was the biggest factor. Indiana forced 11 steals and scored 21 points off Lynx turnovers, plus Minnesota was missing rookie Olivia Miles due to a calf injury.
Where does this leave Minnesota in the playoff standings?
Despite the loss, the Lynx remained narrowly ahead of the Golden State Valkyries for the league’s top seed.
