Indiana Fever VS Atlanta Dream Full Game Highlights May 20, 2025 WNBA Season 2025
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Caitlin Clark’s Heroics Not Enough as Fever Fall to Dream in Heartbreaker
Introduction
On a night when Caitlin Clark once again electrified the crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse with her fourth-quarter brilliance, the Indiana Fever still found themselves on the wrong end of a 91-90 scoreline against the Atlanta Dream. Despite a furious comeback and a monster effort from their “Big Three,” the Fever’s home opener ended in heartbreak, leaving fans and players alike pondering what could have been.
This game had everything: dazzling offense, clutch plays, controversial officiating, and late-game drama. But as the dust settles, it’s the missed opportunities and critical mistakes that linger for a Fever squad determined to turn the page in year two of the Caitlin Clark era.
First Quarter: Dream Set the Tone, Fever Search for Rhythm
After a dominant opening night win, Indiana came in riding high. But it was Atlanta who struck first, with Kelsey Mitchell’s opening layup quickly answered by the Dream’s relentless frontcourt. Brianna Jones and Brittney Griner, both All-Stars, established an early paint presence, combining for 20 first-half points and controlling the glass.
The Fever’s defense, so stout in their previous outing, struggled to contain Atlanta’s size and ball movement. The Dream shot over 50% in the opening quarter, with Alicia Gray and Jones finding easy looks. Indiana, meanwhile, was forced into tougher shots and early turnovers, failing to capitalize on transition opportunities despite Clark’s best efforts to push the pace.
By the end of the first, Atlanta led 31-23, and the Fever’s vaunted momentum had been blunted.
Second Quarter: Clark Finds a Groove, but Dream Maintain Control
Indiana’s offense began to click in the second, with Clark orchestrating from the top and Aaliyah Boston finding space inside. Lexie Hull provided a spark off the bench, drawing an and-one and crashing the boards with gusto. But for every Fever run, Atlanta had an answer. Jones continued to feast in the paint, while Ryan Howard and Gray knocked down timely threes.
The Dream’s defense also stepped up, forcing Indiana into five first-half turnovers and limiting open looks for Clark and Mitchell. When Clark did break free, her deep threes and slick passes ignited the crowd, but the Fever simply couldn’t string together enough stops. Atlanta’s ability to get to the free throw line—shooting 11-for-13 in the half—kept them in control.
At halftime, Indiana had trimmed the deficit to just two, 48-46, but the Dream’s physicality and composure had set the tone.
Third Quarter: Howard Ignites, Fever Falter
If the first half was a back-and-forth battle, the third quarter belonged to Atlanta’s Ryan Howard. The All-Star guard erupted for three quick triples, stretching the Fever defense and forcing Indiana to scramble. Griner and Jones continued to dominate inside, and the Dream’s bench provided key minutes, with Nas Hillman knocking down a rare three.
Indiana, meanwhile, struggled to find consistent offense. Boston battled inside for tough buckets, but the Fever’s perimeter shooting cooled off, and free throw woes began to mount. Natasha Howard, brought in for her defensive prowess and veteran leadership, missed several critical free throws and struggled to finish at the rim. The Dream’s lead ballooned to 13 at one point, and the Fever looked to be on the ropes.
But as the quarter wound down, Clark and Mitchell sparked a mini-run, with Clark’s relentless drives and Mitchell’s timely shooting cutting the deficit back to single digits heading into the final frame.
Fourth Quarter: Clark Goes Supernova, Fever Rally
With their backs against the wall, Indiana turned to their superstar. Caitlin Clark responded with the type of fourth quarter that has already become her signature. She drilled back-to-back threes, including a deep pull-up from the logo that brought the Fieldhouse to its feet. Each time Atlanta threatened to pull away, Clark answered—either with a step-back jumper, a slick assist, or a fearless drive to the rim.
Boston and Mitchell continued to deliver, with Boston scoring on tough post moves and Mitchell tying the game with a slashing layup. Lexie Hull’s hustle and defense were invaluable, and Indiana’s energy on both ends ratcheted up as the crowd sensed a comeback.
With under a minute to go, Clark found Boston for a layup, giving Indiana its first lead since the opening minutes. The Fever faithful roared, and it seemed the comeback was complete.
The Final Minute: Drama, Controversy, and a Missed Opportunity
After Atlanta retook the lead on a pair of Ryan Howard free throws, Indiana had the ball with a chance to win. With 9.7 seconds left, head coach Stephanie White drew up a sideline out-of-bounds play. Clark, inbounding, looked to get the ball to Boston, who was being held and denied by the Dream defense. With her first option gone, Clark lobbed to Natasha Howard, who caught the ball in traffic but was immediately challenged by Griner.
Howard’s shot was blocked, but she recovered the ball and, with six seconds left, chose a fadeaway jumper. The shot missed, and Atlanta secured the rebound. The Fever, unable to foul in time, watched as the clock expired and the Dream celebrated a hard-fought road win.
After the game, White admitted, “We probably should have called timeout in that situation.” The lack of a secondary action or a designed look for Clark or Mitchell proved costly, as did the inability to get the ball to the hot hands.
Key Stats and Storylines
Caitlin Clark: 27 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds, 5 threes. Another historic night for the rookie phenom, who is already rewriting the WNBA record books for 20-point, 10-assist games.
Aaliyah Boston: 24 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks. Dominant inside and a steadying force all night.
Kelsey Mitchell: 24 points, 2 assists. The veteran guard kept Indiana in the hunt with timely buckets.
Natasha Howard: 0-for-4 from the free throw line, including critical misses in the fourth quarter. Her late-game struggles were a major talking point.
Lexie Hull: 29 minutes, +14 plus-minus, invaluable hustle and defense off the bench.
The Fever shot just 16-for-26 from the free throw line, missing 10 crucial points. Atlanta, meanwhile, went 25-for-32, capitalizing on their opportunities. Indiana also lost the turnover battle (14 to Atlanta’s 11), leading to 20 Dream points off turnovers.
Officiating: The X-Factor
The referees were a major storyline, with both teams expressing frustration over inconsistent calls. Stephanie White was forced to use both challenges in the first half, leaving Indiana with no recourse late. On the final play, Boston was clearly held trying to get open, but no whistle came. Atlanta’s 32 free throw attempts also raised eyebrows, as the Dream seemed to benefit from a favorable whistle throughout.
What’s Next for Indiana?
Despite the loss, there are positives to build on. The “Big Three” delivered, Clark continues to ascend, and the team showed resilience in battling back from double digits down. But the Fever must address their free throw shooting, late-game execution, and defensive lapses if they hope to contend in the loaded Eastern Conference.
Coach White will also need to consider rotation adjustments. Lexie Hull’s impact was undeniable, and with Dana Bonner struggling and Sophie Cunningham still injured, Hull may have earned a spot in the starting lineup.
The Fever don’t have to wait long for a chance at redemption—they face the Dream again in Atlanta in just 48 hours. It’s an opportunity to adjust, regroup, and show that this young team can learn from its mistakes.
Final Thoughts: A Loss to Learn From
This was a game that slipped through Indiana’s fingers. Despite Clark’s heroics, Boston’s dominance, and Mitchell’s steady hand, the Fever fell just short due to missed free throws, a questionable final play, and some untimely officiating.
But it’s also just Game Two of a long season. For a team still finding its identity, these early lessons are invaluable. The Fever have the talent and the heart—now they must find the execution and composure to match.
As Clark said postgame, “We’ll learn from this. We’ll get better. And we’ll be ready next time.”
If this game is any indication, the next time can’t come soon enough—for the Fever, and for women’s basketball fans everywhere.
