Dream vs Fever: Fever Spark Revival- Indiana Pounds Dream 77–60 to Force Game 3 in WNBA Playoffs

The Indiana Fever dominate Atlanta Dream 77–60 in Game 2 of the WNBA first round, led by Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston. Full recap, player stats, playoff stakes, and where to watch Game 3.

Quick Snapshot — Dream vs Fever

Indiana Fever bounced back with a ferocious 77–60 victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 2 of their best-of-three opening-round playoff series, forcing a winner-take-all Game 3 and ending a nine-year playoff win drought.

Background & Stakes: What Dream vs Fever Means

• The 2025 WNBA Playoffs opened with the #3-seed Atlanta Dream hosting the #6-seed Indiana Fever in a high-stakes, best-of-three series.
• Indiana had clawed its way into the postseason despite significant challenges, including the season-ending injury to rookie Caitlin Clark.
• Game 1 didn’t go well for the Fever: an 80–68 loss where their offense stalled after a strong start and their defense couldn’t contain the Dream’s attacking balance.
• Indiana returned home for Game 2 knowing they had to win to keep their season alive. Game 2 would be a measure of their resilience and playoff readiness.

 

Game 2 Recap: Fever Force Game 3 with Dominant Home Win

Final Score: Indiana Fever 77, Atlanta Dream 60

Where & when: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis — Tuesday, September 16, 2025 (Tip-off 7:30 p.m. ET)

Game Flow & Key Moments

• Indiana led almost from start to finish, building momentum with a 19-7 third-quarter run that swung control in their favor.
• Kelsey Mitchell led the charge with 19 points (4-of-8 from three), along with four assists and tenacious defense.
• Aliyah Boston added 15 points and 5 rebounds, anchoring the offense inside and providing consistent pressure around the rim.
• Natasha Howard chipped in with 12 points and 5 rebounds, helping to control Atlanta’s attack in transition and on second-chance opportunities.
• Guard Lexie Hull delivered a game-changing end-of-third-quarter sequence: after a steal, she hit a buzzer-beating three to swing momentum and electrify the home crowd. That heat extended into a commanding 27–7 fourth-quarter run that iced the game.
• Atlanta struggled offensively. Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray were limited to a combined 19 points on just 7-of-25 shooting from the field, and the Dream went 5-for-19 from three-point range.

[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]

 

Player Highlights & Match Stats

Player	Team	Stat Line / Impact
Kelsey Mitchell	Fever	19 pts, 4-for-8 3PT, 4 ast — leadership scoring and defensive intensity(Indiana Fever)
Aliyah Boston	Fever	15 pts, 5 reb — interior presence kept Atlanta from thriving inside(Indiana Fever)
Natasha Howard	Fever	12 pts, 5 reb — disrupted transition offense & helped secure boards(Indiana Fever)
Lexie Hull	Fever	Clutch defense + buzzer-beating 3 to end Q3, ignited 4th-quarter run(ESPN.com)
Rhyne Howard	Dream	~10 pts but struggled (combined 7-for-25 FG between her & Gray)(ESPN.com)
Allisha Gray	Dream	~9 pts, 7 reb, but inefficient shooting (4-for-16 FG)(Indiana Fever)
Naz Hillmon	Dream	16 pts, 9 reb in Game 1, but largely contained in Game 2 defensive scheme(ESPN.com)

Team-level notes:

• Indiana grabbed control on defense, turning Atlanta’s scoring chances into 3-point attempts (5-of-19) and limiting second-chance points.
• Indiana also adjusted their offensive aggression: after a stagnant second-quarter in Game 1, the Fever shared the ball, attacked closeouts, and hit 8 threes in Game 2.
• Atlanta, despite its regular-season success and star power, appeared out of rhythm and unable to respond when Indiana ratcheted up defensive pressure.

 

Instagram-এ এই পোস্টটি দেখুন

 

Indiana Fever (@indianafever) -এর দ্বারা একটি পোস্ট শেয়ার করা হয়েছে

 

Tactical Shifts & Coaching Impact

Indiana’s Game Plan Tweaks

• Following Game 1, Indiana coach Stephanie White emphasized urgency, physicality, and better ball movement in the halfcourt.
• The Fever adjusted by increasing their defensive intensity—particularly by contesting perimeter shooters and helping off drives to contain Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray.
• Indiana prioritized faster rotations into the paint and quicker help defense, which disrupted the Dream’s offensive rhythm and encouraged more contested outside shots.
• Offensively, the Fever diversified their attack beyond Kelsey Mitchell: Aliyah Boston and Natasha Howard were more aggressive cutting to the rim, and Lexie Hull’s perimeter shooting and defensive energy forced the Dream to extend their coverage.

Atlanta’s Challenges

• Atlanta leaned on its depth and experience, with stars like Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray initially booking strong statistics in Game 1. However, Game 2 exposed a lack of adaptability: when Indiana forced contested threes, Atlanta struggled to pivot to interior scoring.
• The Dream’s rebounding edge and transition offense, which had been strengths in the regular season, were largely neutralized. Indiana’s physicality and hustle plays offset Atlanta’s athleticism.
• Coach Karl Smesko acknowledged postgame that Indiana’s escalation in defensive physicality had caught Atlanta off-guard, and that the Dream would have to shoot better or tighten their defensive assignments for Game 3.

Series Implications & What’s Next

• With the series now tied 1–1, Game 3 returns to Atlanta (likely September 18 on ESPN2, per the WNBA’s 1-1-1 playoff format).(CBSSports.com)
• Indiana has the momentum: they not only won at home decisively but also snapped a nine-year playoff win drought—their first postseason win since 2015.(The Times of India)
• For the Fever, finishing this comeback could mark one of the most impressive turnaround stories of the 2025 WNBA season, especially considering their injury troubles, including the absence of Caitlin Clark.(SB Nation)
• For the Dream, a Game 3 loss would be a disappointing end to a regular season in which they posted a franchise-best winning percentage and demonstrated depth and talent. Arizona’s defense and scoring balance had looked strong—but they must now refocus under playoff pressure.(ESPN.com)

Where to Watch Game 3 (and Follow the Series)

• Game 3 tip-off: Expected Tuesday or Thursday night (September 18), at Gainbridge Fieldhouse with home-court advantage returning to the higher seed, Atlanta Dream.
• Television / Streaming: Game will air on ESPN2 (or ESPN/ABC depending on scheduling) and stream live via the ESPN App, WNBA League Pass, and major OTT platforms such as FuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DirecTV Stream.
• Additional resources: The Indiana Fever’s official “Playoffs Central” page provides updates, video highlights, and locker-room access.

 

Final Thoughts — Why This Series Is Compelling

The Dream vs Fever matchup is one of 2025’s most intriguing WNBA playoff storylines—not just because of the up-and-down arcs of both franchises, but because Indiana’s Game 2 blowout shows just how a resilient, hungry team can respond to adversity.

With Caitlin Clark sidelined for the season and injuries plaguing their roster, the Fever have leaned on Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, Lexie Hull, and veteran grit to stay competitive. Their Game 2 performance, marked by defensive aggression, sharpshooting from deep, and clutch sequencing, proved that this team isn’t just participating—they’re contending.

Atlanta, meanwhile, must regroup in Game 3. Their regular-season credentials are strong, but this is a postseason gauntlet — and Indiana is making sure it’s going to be a fight.

A winner-take-all Game 3 is exactly the kind of tension and drama the WNBA wants. With momentum firmly on Indiana’s side and an avalanche of energy behind them, we’re headed into a Game 3 that feels anything but scripted.

 

FAQs Readers Might Search For

Q: What’s the current Dream vs Fever playoff series score?
A: The series is now tied 1–1. Indiana won Game 2 with a decisive 77–60 victory to force a Game 3.(CBSSports.com)

Q: Who led the Fever in Game 2?
A: Kelsey Mitchell (19 pts, 4-of-8 from three), Aliyah Boston (15 pts, 5 reb), and Natasha Howard (12 pts, 5 reb) — plus Lexie Hull’s money three to end the third quarter.(Indiana Fever)

Q: What went wrong for the Dream?
A: Atlanta struggled with efficiency, shooting just 5-of-19 from three and combining for 7-of-25 FG between their two stars, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. Indiana’s defensive pressure was a key disruptor.(ESPN.com)

Q: Where and when is Game 3?
A: Game 3 is slated for September 18 in Atlanta. It will air on ESPN2 (or possibly ESPN/ABC) and stream on ESPN digital platforms.(CBSSports.com)

Q: Can Indiana finish the comeback and win the series?
A: Absolutely. They’ve shown resilience and defensive grit, and if Game 2 is any indication, they’re not intimidated by adversity. However, winning Game 3 on the road against a high-seed team will require the Fever to sustain that intensity and handle Atlanta’s adjustments.(ESPN.com)