Atlanta, Georgia — In a thrilling rematch that captivated a sold-out crowd at State Farm Arena, the Indiana Fever triumphed over the Atlanta Dream 81-76 on Thursday night, evening the two-game series between the teams. Natasha Howard led the Fever with an impressive 26 points, navigating an otherwise tumultuous outing marked by missed opportunities from her opponent’s star player.
Caitlin Clark, the celebrated Iowa college standout now playing for Atlanta, faced a rare off night, failing to hit a single three-pointer after a remarkable streak of 140 consecutive games with at least one made triple. The last time Clark was held without a three was in January 2022 against Purdue, marking an astonishing 1,225 days since that moment. Despite her struggles from beyond the arc, Clark managed to contribute with 11 points and six assists before fouling out early in the third quarter.
Kelsey Mitchell sparked Indiana’s offense with a crucial three-pointer that shifted the momentum in the fourth quarter, bringing the Fever ahead at 76-75. Soon after, Clark set up teammate Aliyah Boston for a layup, marking Boston’s second field goal of the game and widening Indiana’s lead to 79-76.
Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard led the Dream’s scoring effort, finishing with 24 points and keeping her team within striking distance. However, the absence of Jordin Canada, who is currently sidelined with a knee injury, added to the challenges for the Dream as they sought to maintain their early season momentum.
Sophie Cunningham made her debut for Indiana after a brief absence due to an ankle sprain. Coach Stephanie White noted that Cunningham played without restrictions, contributing nine points to the team’s effort. Her return provided a much-needed boost for Indiana, highlighting their depth as the season continues.
The game was relocated to the larger State Farm Arena to accommodate a larger fan base, marking a significant contrast to the Dream’s usual home venue, Gateway Center Arena. The decision proved successful, as the 16,888-seat arena filled to capacity, showcasing the growing support for women’s basketball in Atlanta.
As the Fever and Dream prepare for their next stretch of games, both teams will look to build on this matchup. For Indiana, the win serves as a confidence booster, while Atlanta will aim to recalibrate its strategy and find ways to better support Clark as they move forward in the season.