Atlanta Dream Struggle in Loss to Indiana Fever
The Atlanta Dream endured a frustrating night on the court, falling short against the Indiana Fever in a matchup that left fans searching for answers.
Atlanta’s stars appeared “a little discombobulated” throughout the contest, struggling to establish rhythm both offensively and defensively. Missed opportunities, careless turnovers, and lapses in communication proved costly as the Fever capitalized on nearly every mistake.
Indiana, led by a composed offensive attack and strong perimeter shooting, controlled the pace of the game and forced the Dream into uncomfortable positions. Despite flashes of brilliance from Atlanta’s top scorers, momentum consistently swung back in the Fever’s direction whenever the Dream looked poised to rally.
The Dream, who have been building toward a stronger playoff push, will need to regroup quickly. A lack of cohesion stood out as the biggest concern in this loss, and head coach Tanisha Wright is expected to emphasize sharper execution and better ball movement in the days ahead.
Atlanta still has the talent to bounce back, but consistency will be key if they hope to remain in the playoff conversation. For now, the loss to Indiana serves as a reminder of how thin the margin for error can be in the WNBA.
Dream Stumble in Game 2 vs. Fever: Indiana Forces Game 3
The Indiana Fever roared back in Game 2 of their first-round WNBA playoff series, defeating the Atlanta Dream 77-60 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and extending the series to a decisive Game 3 in Atlanta. (SB Nation)
Key Players, Big Differences
Indiana’s Standouts:
- Kelsey Mitchell led the way with 19 points, hitting four 3-pointers.
- Aliyah Boston added 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists, giving Indiana strength inside.
- Natasha Howard contributed 12 points and 5 boards, helping maintain the defensive intensity. (CBSSports.com)
Atlanta’s Struggles:
- Bench player Te-Hina Paopao put up 11 points off the bench, one of the brighter spots.
- Rhyne Howard, an All-Star, had 10 points. (CBSSports.com)
- Allisha Gray struggled from the field — she finished with 9 points and 7 rebounds, going 4-for-16 shooting.
Game Flow & Turning Points
- Indiana never trailed, grabbing momentum early and maintaining control.
- A 10-2 run midway through the first half helped them build a 30-19 lead.
- Atlanta tried to fight back early in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to 40-37. But Indiana responded with runs at the end of the third and start of the fourth quarter to pull away.
- By the start of the fourth, the Fever led by double digits and stretched their lead to as many as 24 points en route to the win.
What’s Next & Takeaway
Tensions run high: this loss forces Game 3 in Atlanta — a win-or-go-home scenario for Indiana. Indiana Fever+1
Atlanta’s shooting was inefficient and inconsistent; when Indiana’s defense turned up the pressure, Atlanta couldn’t adjust well enough.
The Fever showed they have the depth, composure, and momentum at home, something they’ll try to carry into the decisive game.
