Fever Advances to WNBA Semifinals After Defeating the Dream
In an exciting match held in College Park, Georgia, the Indiana Fever secured a crucial victory against the Atlanta Dream with a final score of 87-85, ensuring their place in the WNBA semifinals.
Aliyah Boston was the hero of the game, scoring the decisive basket with only 7.4 seconds remaining on the clock. The play was complemented by a steal from Lexie Hull on the subsequent play, sealing the victory for the Fever.
Despite the absence of Caitlin Clark, the Fever demonstrated their resilience by coming back and securing the victory. This triumph marks the first time since 2015 that the team has managed to advance in a playoff series.
The Fever, seeded sixth, will face the winner of the match between Seattle and Las Vegas on Sunday.
The Boston basket, an easy layup after an effort for a loose ball by Brionna Jones, gave Indiana the 86-85 lead, their first since the second quarter.
Rhyne Howard struggled to get the ball out in the final seconds, allowing Hull to steal the ball. Odyssey Sims made a free throw to give Atlanta another chance, but Jones’s three-pointer at the end of the game didn’t go in.
Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana with 24 points, while Boston contributed 14 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. Sims contributed 16 points and eight assists, and Natasha Howard added 12 points.
On the Dream’s side, Allisha Gray stood out with 19 points and 12 rebounds, achieving her first double-double in the playoffs. Jordin Canada also achieved a double-double with 18 points and 10 assists. Rhyne Howard scored 16 points and Jones contributed 12.
Atlanta, which had been limited to 60 points in the second game, reached that figure with 6:09 remaining in the third quarter.
Shey Peddy scored a three-pointer with 6:06 remaining in the fourth to bring Indiana closer to 80-78. The game remained scoreless until Brianna Turner tied the score at 80 with an offensive rebound and basket.
The Atlanta Dream hasn’t won a playoff series since 2016.
