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Indiana Fever Star Earns Praise From Teammates During Practice on Saturday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dean Koutouratsas | Last updated Jul 5, 2025 3:10 PM ET

The Indiana Fever take on the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

During practice on Saturday morning, the Fever players competed against each other in a half-court shot contest that was posted on the team’s X account. Ultimately, forward Natasha Howard beat out her teammates by sinking a deep shot that earned her praise.

“MVP! MVP!” the Fever players cheered after watching Howard drain her long-range shot. Howard’s moment during practice comes as she helped Indiana win the Commissioner’s Cup on Tuesday by defeating the Minnesota Lynx 74-59, as All-Star guard Caitlin Clark was sidelined with a groin injury.

"MVP! MVP!"

Natasha Howard is today's halfcourt shot contest winner pic.twitter.com/w3UNjVBQUX
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 5, 2025

Without Clark, Howard led the team by scoring 16 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. That performance earned her the game’s MVP award and a $5,000 bonus.

Meanwhile, the Fever received $500,000 for winning the Commissioner’s Cup, which should net each player around $30,000.

The Fever also picked up their ninth win of the season on Thursday by defeating the Las Vegas Aces, 81-54. Howard scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the win.

Clark will miss her fifth consecutive game on Saturday as she still hasn’t fully recovered from a groin injury, according to a USA Today report. However, Fever head coach Stephanie White said they’re working on having Clark ready to start playing again soon.

“We went through semi-live shooting drills, but she hasn’t gone full speed in a practice or a live defensive group,” White told reporters on Friday. “She’s been getting some 3-on-3 work on her own.”

Saturday's game against the Sparks is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on NBA TV.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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