Fever revives hopes: Beats Dream and forces a crucial Game 3

Indiana Fever Dominates Atlanta Dream in an Emotion-Filled Duel

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Fever team has demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the season, overcoming significant adversities, including injuries to key figures like Caitlin Clark and four other players. After losing the first game of the best-of-three playoff series against the Atlanta Dream, the team found itself in need of showing its best version to avoid elimination. On Tuesday night, the Fever delivered in spades, defeating the third-seeded Dream with a resounding score of 77-60. The Indiana team, ranked sixth, led the game from start to finish, reaching a lead of up to 24 points.

This group has continued to show their heart and character, night after night.

Stephanie White, Indiana Coach

The Fever gave the fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse a memorable night in their first home playoff game since 2016. They broke a nine-season streak without a playoff win, the second longest in WNBA history, and recorded the franchise’s second-largest postseason victory when facing elimination.

We knew they would come out to compete. They have been resilient all year.

Karl Smesko, Atlanta Coach

Under the new WNBA playoffs format, Game 3, which will define a spot in the semifinals, will be played on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in Atlanta, with the semifinals in sight on Sunday.

Our backs were against the wall and we know we’ve been through a lot this season. To come out with this win and give ourselves another chance in Game 3, the emotions are high.

Aliyah Boston, Fever Star Player

The Fever took control at the end of the third quarter thanks to a 7-0 run in the last 44 seconds. A late three-pointer by Lexie Hull, after a steal, put Indiana up by 15 points, which unleashed euphoria in the Gainbridge Fieldhouse and on the Fever bench. The team capitalized on that momentum to start the fourth, achieving a 27-7 run that secured the victory.

We’ve seen our team have lapses from one game to the next. I felt good about the fact that we responded when we needed to.

Kelsey Mitchell, Fever Player

Mitchell led the game with 19 points.

After a Game 1 loss with a score of 80-68, the Fever imposed their game on both ends of the court on Tuesday night. The team was more successful offensively than on Sunday, with Boston (15 points) and Natasha Howard (12) joining Mitchell in double digits. Indiana also converted eight three-pointers after only two on Sunday. The Fever shone on defense, limiting Atlanta to its second-lowest point total in a game this season, as well as 5 of 19 on 3-point shots. Standout players Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray were limited to a combined total of 19 points with 7 of 25 on shots.

They were aggressive on defense. They were very physical… We’ll have to shoot better, but we have a lot of talented offensive players, and I think we’ll achieve that in the next game.

Karl Smesko, Atlanta Coach

In Game 3, the Fever will have the opportunity to secure their first playoff series win since 2015; for the Dream, it would be the first since 2018.

I have a lot of confidence in this team. I really believe we will play our best game of the series in the next game.

Karl Smesko, Atlanta Coach

This is a group whose confidence has never really wavered. We’ve been in all kinds of situations you can imagine, and we’ve been able to find ways to put ourselves in a position to win. And this won’t be any different.

Stephanie White, Indiana Coach