Natasha Howard proves Fever were right from the…

But, things have really begun looking up for Howard, the former WNBA champion who was brought on with Indiana to add to their veteran locker room. Leadership was craved, and Howard has certainly provided that in spurts.

In the Commissioner’s Cup final, though, Howard didn’t just flash leadership – she grabbed it by the reins and accepted it fully. As a result, she landed a 16 point double double en route to Most Valuable Player honors after the Fever shocked the Minnesota Lynx at Target Center and defeated them without Caitlin Clark.

Unanimously voted upon, Howard earns a major accolade to add to her resume that also speaks to just how great of a signing she was for the Fever this offseason. While things haven’t worked out exactly as the franchise planned to begin the year, they just took down a nearly undefeated Lynx team in dominating fashion behind Howard’s effort.

Howard wasn’t the only player who finished up with a double double in the win. Aliyah Boston got another double double under her belt against a tough assignment, Napheesa Collier. She had zero points in the first quarter, so her bounce back was impressive. Additionally, 12 points from Kelsey Mitchell and 13 off the bench from Sophie Cunningham helped push Indiana into the win column.

Howard, a former Defensive Player of the Year in the league, did an excellent job neutralizing the talented wings on the Lynx. Collier had just 12 points; Alanna Smith wrapped up with only 12. Bridget Carleton had zero points in 27 minutes on the court. Much of that had to do with Howard’s effort defensively. Her motor never quit despite a lackluster first quarter from the Fever overal.