Atlanta, GA — The Indiana Fever held off a determined comeback by the Atlanta Dream, securing an 84-79 victory in a game that featured high-paced action, strategic battles, and standout performances. Tina Charles delivered a season-high 28 points for the Dream, while Kelsey Mitchell’s 29 points led the way for a Fever squad that capitalized on transition opportunities and clutch shooting.
From the opening tip, the Fever set the tone with their up-tempo style, taking advantage of their speed and depth. Kelsey Mitchell quickly established herself as the game’s focal point, navigating tight defense and drawing fouls while still managing to hit tough shots. Her aggressive play helped the Fever jump out to an early lead.
However, the Dream kept themselves in the game through timely three-point shooting. Allisha Gray and Jordin Canada combined for 12 of Atlanta’s 17 points in the first quarter, all of which came from beyond the arc. This strategy, though effective early, left the Dream one-dimensional and struggling to find consistency inside.
The second quarter belonged to Tina Charles. After a quiet start, she took over offensively, scoring 12 points in the period. Charles showcased her experience and skill, bullying her way through the Fever’s interior defense.
“I’ve been fortunate to be in this league about 14 years, and I’ve had so many of these types of nights,” Charles said. “It’s really great because my point guard, who is now my coach, knows me very well and knows when I’m in a good groove. For me to keep going, the ball kept going in, and it feels good just to be my age and have this kind of impact.”
Charles’s dominance was evident, but the Fever’s relentless pace allowed them to extend their lead. Aliyah Boston, although slowed down by Lorela Cubaj’s length, still contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds, with her presence in the paint proving crucial. The Fever led 52-38 at halftime, taking advantage of Atlanta’s missed opportunities and quick transitions.
Rhyne Howard, who finished with 16 points, noted how important it was to feed Charles when she got hot. “I don’t think I saw anything different; shots just started to fall. But you gotta feed the hot hand, so we started to go to Tina a little bit more, and she really kept us afloat,” Howard explained.
In the third quarter, the Dream showed signs of life, rallying behind Howard, Charles, and Canada. Howard’s three-pointer sparked an 8-0 run that trimmed the Fever’s lead. Atlanta also tightened up defensively, winning battles in the paint and outscoring Indiana on second-chance points. Despite this effort, Kelsey Mitchell continued to find ways to score, helping the Fever maintain a 70-59 lead heading into the final period.
The Dream carried their momentum into the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to as close as 76-69. With Tina Charles anchoring the post, Atlanta continued to chip away, even forcing a critical jump ball thanks to Howard’s hustle. Charles then powered through the defense to bring the Dream within five points.
The Fever, however, remained resilient, finding ways to break through Atlanta’s defense and closing out the game with key baskets from Mitchell and Clark. Despite the late push, the Dream’s comeback fell just short. Charles reflected on her battle with Boston: “It was a lot of fun, especially going up against Boston. She was getting me in the beginning, but I feel like I had the last laugh at the end.”
For Coach Tanisha Wright, the night’s takeaway was more than just the final score. “I thought our team had great fight and resilience. It’s just one game, but I see some areas where we can get better and take this on the road. What I really liked, though, is that we are doing a great job of forming an identity with this new team,” Wright emphasized.
On the Fever’s side, Kelsey Mitchell highlighted the team’s fast-paced play as a key to their success. “For us, it’s about playing up-tempo, and I really like playing that way… and I got teammates that like to play that way,” Mitchell said with a nod to Caitlin Clark. “When I find my spots and utilize my team to find those spots, I look decent.”
Key Performances:
• Indiana Fever: Kelsey Mitchell (29 points, 7 rebounds), Aliyah Boston (14 points, 11 rebounds), Caitlin Clark (19 points, 7 assists).
• Atlanta Dream: Tina Charles (28 points, 8 rebounds), Rhyne Howard (16 points, 7 rebounds), Allisha Gray (12 points).Post-Game Analysis:
The Fever’s ability to push the pace and capitalize on Atlanta’s missed opportunities was the difference in this game. Coach Tanisha Wright’s decision to have Allisha Gray defend Caitlin Clark slowed the Fever’s offense at times, but Indiana’s depth and execution in critical moments allowed them to hold off the late surge.
In the end, it was a game of contrasting styles: the Fever’s up-tempo transition attack versus the Dream’s grind-it-out approach led by Charles in the paint. Despite Atlanta’s resilience, they couldn’t quite overcome their early struggles or match Indiana’s depth.
What’s Next:
The Fever will look to build on this win as they continue their playoff push, while the Dream will need to regroup and address their inconsistent offense as they head into the next game with a tough stretch of road games ahead.