The Indiana Fever came heartbreakingly close to a 2–0 start, but a late-game surge wasn’t enough as they fell 91–90 to the Atlanta Dream in a nail-biting contest. After trailing by double digits in the fourth quarter, Indiana stormed back behind its core trio, briefly taking the lead with just over 20 seconds left. However, two clutch free throws by Rhyne Howard with 9.1 seconds remaining sealed the win for Atlanta, leaving the Fever with their first loss of the season.
Aliyah Boston’s free throw with 21.1 seconds to go gave Indiana a 90–89 advantage—their first lead since early in the first quarter—but Atlanta responded quickly. Howard’s calm execution at the line proved decisive, and a final attempt by Natasha Howard for the Fever failed to connect. The loss highlighted both the resilience and the shortcomings of Indiana’s performance, particularly the lack of support beyond their star players.
Caitlin Clark once again dazzled on the court, finishing with 27 points, 11 assists, and 5 rebounds. Boston delivered a dominant double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Kelsey Mitchell chipped in 24 points of her own. However, the rest of the roster struggled to find rhythm, contributing just 15 points in total. That lack of balance proved costly, especially against an Atlanta team that saw four players score in double figures.
The Dream’s offensive attack was led by Brittney Griner, who tallied 21 points, and Brionna Jones, who posted a powerful double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Rhyne Howard added 20 points, including the game-winning free throws, while Allisha Gray contributed 16. Atlanta’s physical presence on the boards and their ability to capitalize at the free-throw line—finishing 25-of-32—gave them the edge in a tightly contested matchup.
This early-season thriller set the tone for what could be a compelling series between these two teams, who will meet again in Atlanta later this week. While Indiana showed flashes of brilliance, they’ll need more consistent bench contributions and sharper execution down the stretch to turn potential into wins. For now, the Fever regroup and focus on refining their game as the season unfolds—with Clark’s leadership and rising stardom offering plenty of hope for what’s to come.
