The Atlanta Dream aimed to even their record back to .500 after their earlier loss this week to the Minnesota Lynx. In that game, the Dream lost their star Rhyne Howard to a lower leg injury. Howard plays a crucial role for the team on offense, and replacing her production proved to be a significant challenge. For the Dream to win against the Indiana Fever, they needed standout performances from team leaders Tina Charles and Allisha Gray.
The game started with high intensity as the Fever took an early lead, outscoring the Dream 35-25 in the first quarter. NaLyssa Smith was on fire for the Fever, finishing the game with 21 points. The Dream struggled to keep pace, and despite efforts from Charles and Gray, they couldn’t close the gap. The Fever maintained their lead throughout the second quarter, ending the first half ahead 57-41.
Tina Charles led all scorers with a season-high 24 points, adding seven rebounds and two assists. Her performance marked her 170th 20-point game of her career and moved her to No. 3 all-time in total offensive rebounds in WNBA history. Allisha Gray followed with 19 points, four rebounds, and three assists, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Dream within striking distance.
In the third quarter, the Dream surged onto a 15-6 run, initiated by a Jones and-one, bringing the Fever lead down to single digits. Gray and Jones headlined the Dream’s scoring efforts in the third, with Gray finishing the quarter with eight points and three rebounds. Naz Hillmon also contributed significantly off the bench, recording four offensive rebounds in the third quarter alone.
Despite these efforts, the Fever remained steady from the free-throw line, making 12-of-15 attempts in the third quarter, and continued to dominate in the fourth. Aaliyah Boston’s presence on the boards was crucial for the Fever, as she grabbed 10 rebounds, helping to secure their victory. Caitlin Clark’s playmaking was also a highlight, as she dished out seven assists despite seven turnovers.
The Dream outscored Indiana in second-chance points, 4-2, in the third quarter and tied in fast break points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Fever’s balanced attack. In the final quarter, Hillmon led the Dream with five points and two rebounds off the bench, and Charles headlined Atlanta on the boards with three crucial rebounds to close out the game. However, the Fever’s consistent performance sealed their win with a final score of 91-79.
With this loss, the Dream’s record falls to 6-8. They will need to regroup and find new strategies to stay competitive as they await Howard’s return. The Fever, improving to 7-10, demonstrated their depth and resilience, capitalizing on the Dream’s vulnerabilities.
Caitlin Clark shared her thoughts on the upcoming game against the Chicago Sky, stating, “For us, it’s just a game of basketball, that’s what it is. If it’s gonna help move the game forward, absolutely. That’s amazing. That’s what it should be. People can talk about it. I saw the ticket prices. I guess the only thing is, I’m surprised we’re not playing at the United Center. I thought that would’ve been really good for the game and really good for all the women’s basketball fans in Chicago.”
The Dream will look to bounce back in their next game and aim to get back to winning ways, hoping to build on the strong individual performances seen tonight. Meanwhile, the Fever prepare to face the Chicago Sky, looking to continue their momentum and improve their standing in the league.
