The Indiana Fever showcased a remarkable turnaround on Friday, July 11, 2025, securing a commanding 99-82 victory over the Atlanta Dream at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. This crucial win propelled the Fever to a .500 record (10-10) for the season, marking a significant bounce-back performance after a challenging loss earlier in the week. The game, attended by 16,966 fans, was a testament to the Fever’s resilience, particularly their explosive 59-point second half.
The Atlanta Dream started strong, establishing an early 12-4 lead in the first quarter. Dream guard Jordin Canada was exceptional in the first half, pouring in 26 points, including six three-pointers, a remarkable feat given she had only six total three-pointers all season prior to this game. Despite Canada’s offensive outburst, the Fever managed to tie the game at 32-32 in the second quarter, fueled by a 6-0 run. However, the Dream regained momentum, heading into halftime with a 45-40 lead. A concerning moment for Atlanta occurred in the second quarter when All-Star reserve Rhyne Howard was briefly carried off the court with a non-contact leg injury, though she later returned to play in the third quarter.
The second half saw a dramatic shift in momentum as the Indiana Fever unleashed a relentless offensive attack. They outscored the Dream 29-20 in the third quarter and an even more impressive 30-17 in the fourth, effectively sealing the victory. The Fever’s improved shooting and aggressive drives to the basket drew numerous fouls from the Dream, contributing to their surge. A key 14-4 run in the fourth quarter solidified Indiana’s control over the game.
Several Fever players delivered standout performances. Guard Kelsey Mitchell led the team in scoring with 25 points on efficient 9-of-16 shooting from the field, including a season-high 3-of-7 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. Aliyah Boston was a force in the paint, contributing 19 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds. Rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, playing in her second game back after missing five due to a groin injury, demonstrated her playmaking abilities with 12 points, a team-high 9 assists, and 4 rebounds in 26 minutes. While she struggled from three-point range (1-for-7), Clark found success by aggressively attacking the paint and facilitating the offense. Forward Sophie Cunningham provided a crucial spark off the bench, recording a double-double with 16 points and a career-high 10 rebounds, hitting four clutch three-pointers.
For the Atlanta Dream, Jordin Canada finished with a game-high 30 points, 3 rebounds, and 8 assists, but her scoring significantly tapered off in the second half, with only 4 points after her explosive first. Rhyne Howard added 14 points and 3 rebounds, while Brittney Griner contributed 10 points and 8 rebounds. Despite their efforts, the Dream couldn’t match the Fever’s second-half intensity.
Overall, the Fever displayed superior team statistics, shooting 46.1% from the field compared to the Dream’s 44.8%. Both teams made 11 three-pointers, with the Fever shooting 36.7% and the Dream 37.9%. Indiana was highly efficient from the free-throw line, converting 18 of 20 attempts (90.0%), while Atlanta made 11 of 14 (78.6%). The Fever also dominated the boards, outrebounding the Dream 47-36, and dished out significantly more assists (27 to 19). Both teams committed 11 turnovers, according to CBS Sports, though ESPN’s box score indicated 14 for Atlanta and 13 for Indiana.
This victory ties the regular-season series between the two teams at 2-2. The Fever will look to carry this momentum into their upcoming games, starting with a home matchup against the Dallas Wings on July 13, followed by road games against the Connecticut Sun on July 15 and the New York Liberty on July 16. The win positions the Fever firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, currently sitting third behind New York and Atlanta.
Sources: HawkCentral, ESPN, IndyStar, Hawkeyes Wire, CBS Sports.
