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Indiana Fever Triumphs Over Atlanta Dream, Advances to Semifinals

9/19/2025

Summary

Fever Triumph Late

The Indiana Fever defeated the Atlanta Dream 87-85 in Game 3, marking their first playoff series win since 2015.
Aliyah Boston scored the winning layup with 7.4 seconds left, while Kelsey Mitchell contributed 24 points.
The Fever overcame a seven-point halftime deficit, closing the game with a 7-0 run.
Atlanta, despite a franchise-record 30 wins, scored only 29 points in the second half.
Head coach Karl Smesko expressed disappointment over the Dream's early exit; the Fever will face the Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals.

History

Historical Context

The Indiana Fever, established in 2000, faced a seven-season playoff drought before breaking through in 2024 with a 20-20 record. Their 2015 WNBA Finals appearance marked a significant achievement, though they lost to the Minnesota Lynx. The Fever's recent playoff resurgence in 2024, highlighted by a strong performance from rookie Caitlin Clark, signals a revitalization of the franchise's competitive spirit.

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Fever Triumph Late

The Indiana Fever defeated the Atlanta Dream 87-85 in Game 3, marking their first playoff series win since 2015.
Aliyah Boston scored the winning layup with 7.4 seconds left, while Kelsey Mitchell contributed 24 points.
The Fever overcame a seven-point halftime deficit, closing the game with a 7-0 run.
Atlanta, despite a franchise-record 30 wins, scored only 29 points in the second half.
Head coach Karl Smesko expressed disappointment over the Dream's early exit; the Fever will face the Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals.

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