The Indiana Fever have reignited their postseason hopes in dramatic fashion, dispatching the Atlanta Dream 77-60 in Game 2 of their first-round WNBA playoff series at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. With the series now tied at 1-1, all eyes turn to the decisive Game 3 in Atlanta, where both squads will battle for the right to advance to the semifinals. For Indiana, this victory was particularly sweet—marking their first home playoff appearance since 2016 and their first postseason win since 2015, ending a drought that had hung over the franchise for nine long years.
From the opening tip, the Fever set the tone, never trailing and keeping the Dream on their heels throughout the contest. Kelsey Mitchell led the charge with a stellar performance, pouring in 19 points on 6-of-13 shooting, including four three-pointers on eight attempts. Her sharp shooting and relentless energy proved too much for Atlanta’s defense to handle. Aliyah Boston, another cornerstone for Indiana, chipped in 15 points and grabbed five rebounds, anchoring the Fever on both ends of the floor.
Indiana’s defensive intensity was the story of the night. The Fever held Atlanta to just 37.9% from the field and a chilly 5-of-19 from beyond the arc, stifling the Dream’s offensive rhythm and limiting them to their second-lowest point total of the season. The Dream simply couldn’t find a groove, as Indiana’s pressure forced key turnovers and prevented any sustained scoring runs. Te-Hina Paopao did her best to keep Atlanta in contention, scoring 11 points off the bench, while Rhyne Howard added 10. However, no other Dream player reached double figures, highlighting the Fever’s suffocating defense and ability to neutralize Atlanta’s secondary options.
The game’s pivotal moments came late in the third and early in the fourth quarter. With the Dream threatening to close the gap, Indiana closed the third on a 7-0 run, punctuated by Lexie Hull’s buzzer-beating three-pointer that sent the home crowd into a frenzy. Not content to rest on their laurels, the Fever opened the fourth with an 8-0 spurt, effectively putting the game out of reach and keeping the Dream at bay for the remainder of the contest. The Fever’s composure and ability to execute in critical stretches stood in stark contrast to Atlanta’s struggles to string together stops and buckets when it mattered most.
The contest wasn’t without its share of drama. Early in the fourth quarter, a brief incident unfolded as two courtside fans were escorted out following an exchange with Atlanta’s Allisha Gray. Despite the distraction, the Fever remained focused, maintaining their defensive pressure and managing the tempo until the final buzzer sounded.
For Indiana, this win was about more than just evening the series. It was a statement of resilience for a team that’s battled adversity all season long. The Fever have been forced to navigate a gauntlet of injuries, with several key players sidelined for the remainder of the year. Notably, Natasha Howard, Aliyah Boston, Odyssey Sims, Kelsey Mitchell, and Lexie Hull have all been listed as out due to serious injuries, according to the latest reports. Their ability to rally and deliver a commanding postseason performance speaks volumes about the depth and determination of this group.
Atlanta, too, has been hampered by injuries, with Brionna Jones, Naz Hillmon, Allisha Gray, Jordin Canada, and Rhyne Howard all dealing with various ailments. The Dream’s depleted roster struggled to keep pace with Indiana’s intensity, and the lack of offensive firepower was evident. Still, with the series now heading back to Atlanta for a winner-take-all Game 3, the Dream will have the chance to regroup on their home court and make adjustments in pursuit of a semifinal berth.
The broader WNBA playoff landscape has been equally riveting. According to CBS Sports, the first round of the 2025 playoffs has featured its share of upsets and nail-biting finishes. The Seattle Storm snapped the Las Vegas Aces’ 17-game winning streak with a comeback victory to force a Game 3, while the Phoenix Mercury staved off elimination with a dominant win over the New York Liberty. The Minnesota Lynx, meanwhile, have already punched their ticket to the semifinals, eliminating the Golden State Valkyries in a hard-fought two-game sweep. The new 1-1-1 playoff format, implemented for the 2025 season, has added an extra layer of intrigue, giving lower seeds a chance to host a critical Game 2 and potentially swing the momentum of a series.
For the Fever and Dream, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The winner of Thursday’s Game 3 at Gateway Center Arena at College Park will move on to face the No. 2 seed in the semifinals, with the best-of-five round set to begin Sunday, September 21. The WNBA Finals, now a best-of-seven affair, loom on the horizon for whichever teams can survive the gauntlet of the opening rounds.
Fans won’t have to wait long for the drama to resume. Game 3 between Indiana and Atlanta is scheduled for Thursday, September 18, at 7:30 pm ET, broadcast live on ESPN2 and streaming on fubo. With both teams battered but unbowed, expect a fiercely contested battle as each side vies for a shot at postseason glory. As the Fever look to build on their momentum and the Dream aim to bounce back in front of their home fans, the only certainty is that this series has delivered—and promises even more fireworks in its final act.
So, as the WNBA playoffs continue to captivate with thrilling finishes and unexpected twists, all eyes will be on Atlanta for what should be a memorable Game 3. Will Indiana’s defense rise to the occasion once more, or can the Dream regroup and take advantage of home court? Either way, the journey to the semifinals is about to reach its fever pitch.
