The Indiana Fever stun the Atlanta Dream 87-85 in Game 3 to reach the WNBA Semifinals, fueled by Aliyah Boston’s go-ahead layup, Kelsey Mitchell’s scoring and Lexie Hull’s defense. Full recap, stats, Bracket update and where to watch.
Quick snapshot — Fever vs Dream
The No. 6 seed Indiana Fever pulled off a stunning 87-85 road victory in Game 3 over the No. 3 seed Atlanta Dream, closing a resilient 7-0 finish behind Aliyah Boston’s go-ahead layup, Lexie Hull’s late steal, and heroic defense to advance to the WNBA Semifinals.
Why this matchup mattered
- The 2025 WNBA Playoffs first-round series between the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream was a classic—Dream entered as the higher seed and defensive juggernaut, while the Fever, despite injuries and roster turnover, leaned on a culture of resilience and “next-player-up” mentality.
- Indiana had been written off in many previews—with key injuries (notably Caitlin Clark sidelined for the playoffs) and a 6-seed finish. Atlanta, conversely, came in with home court advantage, a deep roster, and strong season momentum.
- Many analysts predicted an Atlanta sweep, or at least a swift series win for the Dream. Indiana’s Game 3 comeback flips that expectation and signals that playoff grit can trump regular-season seeding.
Series recap and game flow
| Game | Location | Score | Brief Narrative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Atlanta (home) | Dream 80 – Fever 68 | Atlanta’s defense showed up. Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard scored efficiently, and Indiana struggled to shoot (34.9%) and didn’t spread scoring beyond Kelsey Mitchell’s 27 points. |
| Game 2 | Indiana (home) | Fever 77 – Dream 60 | Indiana bounced back at Gainbridge Fieldhouse behind 19 points from Kelsey Mitchell and 15 from Aliyah Boston, dominating early and forcing a Game 3. |
| Game 3 | Atlanta (road) | Fever 87 – Dream 85 | A dramatic finish: after trailing late, Indiana closed the game on a 7-0 run. Boston’s layup with 7.4 seconds left put them ahead, Lexie Hull stole the inbound, and Odyssey Sims hit a free throw with 1.2 seconds to go to nail down the win. |
Game 1: Atlanta asserts control
The Dream set the tone early and never looked back. Indiana shot poorly, turned the ball over 15 times, and failed to generate consistent secondary scoring beyond Mitchell’s 27-point performance. Atlanta’s Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard each scored 20 points, exploiting mismatches and grabbing extra possessions.
Game 2: Indiana’s response
Back in Indy, the Fever showed a more assertive, disciplined version of themselves. A hot start—boosted by a second-quarter flurry—and superior control of rebounds and momentum allowed Indiana to dominate. Kelsey Mitchell’s perimeter work and Aliyah Boston’s inside presence (15 points) anchored the win.
Game 3: Grit, resilience, and a historic finish
Game 3 in Atlanta was a playoff war. Indiana, trailing late after a Dream basket by Rhyne Howard with 2:32 left, would not quit. Kelsey Mitchell hit a clutch layup off a Boston feed to draw within one possession. Lexie Hull then scored with 43.1 seconds left, and after a missed Dream attempt, Odyssey Sims fed Boston for the go-ahead layup with 7.4 seconds left. Hull sealed it with a steal, Sims hit one of two free throws with 1.2 seconds remaining, and Indiana closed the game on a 7-0 spurt to eliminate the higher-seeded Dream.
Key performers & stat leaders
| Player | Team | Key Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| Kelsey Mitchell | Fever | Led all scorers in Game 3 with 24 points, scored 19 in Game 2, and provided perimeter aggression and clutch shooting. |
| Aliyah Boston | Fever | Double-double in Game 3 (14 pts, 12 reb, 6 ast), scored the go-ahead bucket, and anchored both ends with her physicality. |
| Lexie Hull | Fever | Provided key defensive stop (steal on inbound) and timely scoring — 10 points in Game 3, persuading many that her playoff poise is real. |
| Odyssey Sims | Fever | Ferried the ball into Boston for her go-ahead bucket and dropped 16 points, 8 assists in the deciding game. |
| Natasha Howard | Fever | Double-digit scoring (12 pts, 6 reb in Game 3) and physical toughness, helping wear down the Dream’s interior defense. |
| Allisha Gray | Dream | Scored 19 points and snagged 12 rebounds in Game 3, often trying to will the Dream to victory with effort and scoring. |
| Jordin Canada | Dream | Recorded a double-double in Game 3: 18 points and 10 assists. She was central to Atlanta’s playmaking attack and closing efforts. |
| Rhyne Howard | Dream | Scored 16 points in Game 3, including the hoop that put Dream up 85-80 with 2:32 left. Mental errors in the final possession hurt, but she was aggressive all night. |
Other statistical notes:
- Indiana forced 15 turnovers in Game 1 but improved their execution and pace control in the second and third games.
- In Game 2, Indiana outpaced the Dream in rebounds and limited them to just 60 points — a stark contrast to Game 1’s 80-point finish by Atlanta. (ESPN.com)
- The Indiana comeback in Game 3—closing with a 7-0 run in the final 2:05—is one of the classic clutch finishes in recent WNBA playoff history. (Indiana Fever)
[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]
Tactical breakdown — how the Fever closed it out
a) Incremental momentum building
Indiana didn’t rely on a single big run in Game 3. Instead, they chipped away, staying within one or two possessions and defending with increased intensity each defensive stop. The belief in their defensive identity allowed the game to stay close enough for a finish.
b) Role clarity and “next-person-up” resolve
With Caitlin Clark out, the Fever leaned on Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, Lexie Hull, Natasha Howard, Odyssey Sims, and bench contributors like Shey Peddy and Aerial Powers. Coach Stephanie White’s system emphasized accountability, rotational trust, and attacking mismatches without panicking when rotations shifted.
c) Late-game composure
In crunch time, Indiana executed precisely: Hull’s inbound steal, Sims getting the ball to Boston for the go-ahead bucket, and then a back-end defensive play that disrupted Atlanta’s closing set. Indiana’s experience and discipline shone through.
d) Rebounding and hustle
Across Games 2 and 3, Indiana improved its rebounding margins, limiting Dream second-chance opportunities and generating extra possessions. Combined with disciplined transition defense, the Fever made Atlanta earn every point.
AG WITH THE THREE!! 😎 🔥#DoItForTheDream | #SoATL pic.twitter.com/6frWXQIP8v
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) September 19, 2025
The broader WNBA playoff picture & bracket implications
- With the Dream eliminated, the WNBA playoff bracket now includes the Indiana Fever as one of the Final Four, alongside the Minnesota Lynx, Las Vegas Aces, and the winner of Mercury vs Liberty.
- Indiana’s upset run reinforces the league-wide narrative that seeding is less predictive under the newer playoff format — and underscores the value of resilience, defensive toughness, and late-game execution.
- The Fever will now face the Las Vegas Aces in the Semifinals. The Aces advanced after a tight series, setting up a David-vs-Goliath contrast that emphasizes whether Indiana’s grit can match elite firepower.
- For the Dream, the season ends in disappointment. Since 2016, Atlanta has not won a playoff series, and this year’s early exit may prompt evaluation and restructuring.
Here’s an updated snapshot of the 2025 WNBA playoff bracket (after the Fever upset):
WNBA Semifinals (best-of-5)
MN Lynx | VS | (Mercury vs Liberty winner)
Indiana Fever | VS | Las Vegas Aces
Watching & following Indiana Fever vs Atlanta Dream
- Where to watch: Game 3 aired on ESPN2 on Thursday night, and was available to stream via the ESPN app. (ESPN.com)
- WNBA Playoffs Central (official team site) features highlight reels, postgame interviews, player reactions, and preview content for the upcoming semifinal matchup.
- CBSSports.com provides updated playoff brackets, schedule info, and expert commentary on upcoming matchups.
- For fans following player development and storylines: SB Nation’s coverage highlights the narrative of “resilience” and the coaching impact of Stephanie White, especially in adversity.
Final thoughts — resilience wins championships
The 2025 Indiana Fever demonstrated that playoff basketball rewards more than stats or seeding. It rewards heart, preparation, and belief—in short, resilience. Despite multiple injuries and a daunting matchup against a higher-seeded Dream roster, the Fever leaned into a team-first identity, exploited mismatches, pressured turnovers, and delivered under pressure when it mattered most.
Closing out the series on the road, in hostile territory, with a late-game comeback, may end up being a signature moment—not just for this season, but for this roster and its young core. The semifinal matchup with the Las Vegas Aces looms as the next big test: will the Fever’s heart translate when facing a more balanced explosion of star power and depth? If Indiana’s Game 3 finish tells us anything, it’s that they won’t go quietly.
For fans—and especially for bettors, bracket fillers, and playoff narrative seekers—this series is another reminder that the WNBA playoff bracket is a site of constant surprises. Underestimate Indiana at your peril.
FAQs fans are searching for
Q: What was the Fever vs Dream Game 3 score?
A: Indiana Fever defeated the Atlanta Dream 87-85 in Game 3 of the 2025 first-round WNBA Playoffs. (Indiana Fever)
Q: Who hit the go-ahead basket for Indiana?
A: Aliyah Boston scored the go-ahead layup with 7.4 seconds remaining, after a sequence that began with a steal by Lexie Hull on an Atlanta inbound. (WNBA)
Q: Who led scoring for the Fever?
A: Kelsey Mitchell led all scorers in Game 3 with 24 points. Odyssey Sims added 16 points and 8 assists, Boston had a 14/12/6 stat line, Hull scored 10, and Natasha Howard chipped in 12 points. (Indiana Fever)
Q: When was the Fever’s last playoff series win?
A: Before this game, Indiana Fever’s last playoff series win was in 2015. (Indiana Fever)
Q: Where does Indiana go now?
A: The Fever advance to the WNBA Semifinals and will face the Las Vegas Aces, who won their first-round matchup. (CBSSports.com)
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