The Indiana Fever staged a remarkable comeback in the second half to defeat the Atlanta Dream 81-76, earning victory in front of a sold-out crowd at State Farm Arena on Thursday night. This match followed a close confrontation just two days earlier, where the Dream narrowly edged the Fever 91-90.
Natasha Howard shone for Indiana, scoring 26 points, while Rhyne Howard led Atlanta with 24 points. Caitlin Clark, the Fever’s rising star, struggled during this game, failing to make any of her five attempts from beyond the arc, breaking a streak of 140 consecutive games with a 3-pointer. This marked only the second time in 184 games across her college and professional career that Clark has not made a three-point shot, a notable statistic given her previous success.
Despite Clark’s shooting woes, she managed to contribute with 11 points and six assists. The Fever’s pivotal moment came when Kelsey Mitchell hit a critical 3-pointer to put Indiana ahead 76-75, followed by a layup from Clark to extend the lead to 79-76 with just over a minute remaining.
Sophie Cunningham also made her debut for Indiana, scoring nine points after recovering from an ankle injury. Meanwhile, Atlanta announced that guard Jordin Canada, currently sidelined by a knee injury, is set to resume basketball activities soon.
This game not only showcased the competitiveness between two recently drafted stars, Clark and Howard, but it also highlighted the thrill of WNBA basketball in high-capacity venues, offering fans an electrifying atmosphere. The match concluded with the Fever and Dream splitting their two-game series, indicating a tightly contested rivalry that promises exciting encounters in future matchups.