Indiana Fever outlast Dream 87-85 in Game 3, advances to semifinals for first time since 2015
TOI World Desk | TOI Global Desk | Sep 20, 2025, 04:34 IST
Highlight of the story: The sixth-seeded Indiana Fever outlasted the Atlanta Dream 87-85 in a decisive Game 3, securing their first trip to the semifinals since 2015. Despite a season plagued by injuries, Kelsey Mitchell led with 24 points, supported by Odyssey Sims and Aliyah Boston. Natasha Howard added 12 points as Indiana advances to face the two-time champion Las Vegas Aces.
The sixth-seeded Indiana Fever defeated the third-seeded Atlanta Dream on Thursday night, having every reason to celebrate for earning their first trip to the semi-finals since 2015. Despite being shorthanded, the Indiana Fever clinched an 87-85 victory over the Atlanta Dream in decisive game 3.
Amber Coz, the general manager of the Indiana Fever, spent the offseason building the roster around Caitlin Clark, the 2024 rookie of the year. But things didn't unfold as planned.
Clark battled with injuries throughout this session and played a total of just 13 games before injuring her right groin, which ended her season. Dewanna Bonner, the six-time all-star forward, was released after playing just nine games for the Fever. Other guards, such as Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald, suffered season-ending injuries during the Phoenix game on August 7, while Sophie Cunningham was sidelined with a season-ending injury two weeks later in Connecticut, leaving Indiana without a true point guard for the rest of the season.
Still, the team adapted even though the roaster was injury-plagued. Kelsey Mitchel paced the offence with 24 points while Odyssey Sims contributed 16 and Boston added 14 points. Kelsey Mitchel is the team's top scorer this season, averaging 20.2 points per game. She is also one of the 5 finalists for the 2025 Most Valuable Player award.
Allisha Gray led the Dream with 19 points and 12 rebounds and got her first playoff double-double, while Jordin Canada chipped in 18 points and 10 assists. Rhyme Howard scored 16 points, and Jones added 12. Despite the efforts, the Atlanta Dream lost to the Indiana Fever by 2 points.
“I'm grateful and happy to be back in the semifinals again,” said Natasha Howard, who contributed 12 points for the Fever. Howard was drafted by the Fever in 2015 before winning the three WNBA titles and becoming the league’s 2019 defensive player of the year. She added, “I’m just so excited that we’re back here again with this group of young women and the job is not done yet”.
The Indiana Fever will take on two-time WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces in a best-of-five series that begins on Sunday.
Amber Coz, the general manager of the Indiana Fever, spent the offseason building the roster around Caitlin Clark, the 2024 rookie of the year. But things didn't unfold as planned.
Clark battled with injuries throughout this session and played a total of just 13 games before injuring her right groin, which ended her season. Dewanna Bonner, the six-time all-star forward, was released after playing just nine games for the Fever. Other guards, such as Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald, suffered season-ending injuries during the Phoenix game on August 7, while Sophie Cunningham was sidelined with a season-ending injury two weeks later in Connecticut, leaving Indiana without a true point guard for the rest of the season.
Still, the team adapted even though the roaster was injury-plagued. Kelsey Mitchel paced the offence with 24 points while Odyssey Sims contributed 16 and Boston added 14 points. Kelsey Mitchel is the team's top scorer this season, averaging 20.2 points per game. She is also one of the 5 finalists for the 2025 Most Valuable Player award.
Allisha Gray led the Dream with 19 points and 12 rebounds and got her first playoff double-double, while Jordin Canada chipped in 18 points and 10 assists. Rhyme Howard scored 16 points, and Jones added 12. Despite the efforts, the Atlanta Dream lost to the Indiana Fever by 2 points.
“I'm grateful and happy to be back in the semifinals again,” said Natasha Howard, who contributed 12 points for the Fever. Howard was drafted by the Fever in 2015 before winning the three WNBA titles and becoming the league’s 2019 defensive player of the year. She added, “I’m just so excited that we’re back here again with this group of young women and the job is not done yet”.
The Indiana Fever will take on two-time WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces in a best-of-five series that begins on Sunday.