The Indiana Fever secured a hard-fought victory against the Atlanta Dream, winning 84-79 on Monday night. This win marks the Fever’s 14th of the season, their highest total since 2016, which was also the last time they made the postseason.
The Dream (10-19) put up a strong fight, nearly overturning a 14-point deficit as they cut the Fever’s lead to just two points with three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. However, crucial fouls from Atlanta allowed Indiana to maintain their advantage in the closing moments.
Rookie Caitlin Clark caused a moment of concern for Fever fans when she rolled her ankle early in the first quarter after colliding with Nia Coffey. After being assessed by trainers, Clark returned to the game in the second quarter without any visible issues. Despite previous ankle troubles earlier this season, she displayed resilience, illustrating the challenges that come with being a basketball player.
Lexie Hull, who had previously seen limited playtime, stepped into a starting role in the second half for the Fever. Hull contributed two points, four rebounds, and two assists in 30 minutes, demonstrating her capabilities on both offense and defense. This change in lineup resulted in fewer minutes for Katie Lou Samuelson, who has struggled in recent games.
Kelsey Mitchell continued her impressive form, scoring 29 points and establishing a dominant presence on the court. Since returning from the Olympic break, Mitchell has averaged over 24 points per game and is showing remarkable consistency.
In addition, Caitlin Clark made headlines by tying the rookie record for 3-pointers, making four on the night for a total of 85, with ten games still remaining this season. She finished the game with 19 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, solidifying her role as a pivotal player for the Fever.