A deflector cup coupled with a mower blade spindle for preventing material from accumulating around the spindle during operation, the deflector cup including a bottom wall having an opening within which the spindle is positioned, and a side wall extending upwardly from a radially outer edge of the bottom wall. A plurality of slots formed in the bottom wall extend radially outwardly from the opening and define finger portions between adjacent slots. The finger portions extend from the opening to the radially outer edge of the bottom wall and are of a size and shape strong enough to prevent the finger portions from deforming when the spindle is positioned within the opening. The finger portions and slots cause the side wall to deform elastically when the spindle is inserted into the opening.