Indiana Fever Unleash Dominant Second-Half Surge to Crush Atlanta Dream 99–82 in Statement Win at Home
The Indiana Fever delivered one of their most complete performances of the 2025 WNBA season on July 11, rallying from a first-half deficit to blow past the Atlanta Dream with a commanding 99–82 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Powered by a 59-point second half, crisp ball movement, and balanced scoring across the roster, the Fever demonstrated that their recent progress is no fluke.
🔥 First Half: Jordin Canada Catches Fire, but Indiana Keeps Pace
The game opened with a scoring clinic from Atlanta’s Jordin Canada, who couldn’t miss from deep. She torched Indiana for 26 points in the first half, including six three-pointers, giving the Dream an early edge. Atlanta led 45–40 at the break.
While Canada’s outburst was the highlight, Indiana managed to stay close thanks to the steady efforts of Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, and Sophie Cunningham. Caitlin Clark, though struggling with her shot (5-of-17 on the night), made smart passes and kept the offense moving with her vision and control.
Despite their shooting issues, the Fever kept their composure, and it paid off once the second half began.
⚡ Second Half: Indiana Flips the Script
In the third quarter, the game shifted dramatically.
The Fever locked in defensively, clamping down on Canada and forcing Atlanta into difficult shots. Indiana used that momentum to dominate the final minutes of the quarter, closing on a 10–0 run that gave them their first double-digit lead.
From there, they never looked back. The fourth quarter was all Indiana—a masterclass in execution, energy, and team basketball.
The Fever opened the fourth with an 11–2 burst, featuring sharp cuts, extra passes, and fast-break finishes. By the midway mark of the quarter, the lead had ballooned to 20 points, and the home crowd was in full celebration mode.
💫 Standout Performers
Kelsey Mitchell led the way with 25 points, including several clutch three-pointers and confident drives to the basket.
Aliyah Boston put together a near-triple-double with 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists, dominating both ends of the floor.
Sophie Cunningham contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds, providing grit and physicality in key moments.
Caitlin Clark, despite her shooting woes, had 12 points, 9 assists, and a strong floor presence, setting the tone with her passing and leadership.
On the Dream’s side, Jordin Canada finished with 30 points, but was held to just 4 in the second half as Indiana’s defense tightened.
📊 Team Stats & Breakdown
Final Score: Indiana Fever 99 – Atlanta Dream 82
Scoring by Quarter:
Atlanta: 23 | 22 | 20 | 17
Indiana: 21 | 19 | 29 | 30
Key Stats:
Indiana shot 56% in the second half.
The Fever recorded 24 assists, showing improved chemistry and unselfish play.
Indiana’s bench outscored Atlanta’s reserves by a wide margin, a crucial factor in the final result.
🧠 Game-Changing Moments
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Defensive Switch on Canada: After allowing her to go off early, Indiana made defensive adjustments, including stronger hedges on screens and tighter closeouts. Canada was neutralized in the second half.
Boston’s Facilitation: Aliyah Boston became a playmaking hub from the high post, finding cutters and shooters with ease. Her eight assists were a career-high.
Clark’s Court Vision: Even on a poor shooting night, Clark’s decision-making was key. She orchestrated the tempo, hitting cutters in stride and pushing the pace when needed.
🗣️ Postgame Reactions
Kelsey Mitchell, on her offensive performance:
“We knew they’d come out aggressive, but we just stayed poised. Everyone contributed tonight—it wasn’t about one player, it was about playing together.”
Aliyah Boston, reflecting on the team’s turnaround:
“We locked in. Our defense sparked our offense, and when we’re moving the ball like that, we’re dangerous.”
Coach Stephanie White, on the team effort:
“I’m proud of how they responded at halftime. The message was clear—play with energy, play connected. That’s exactly what they did.”
📈 Implications for the Season
✅ For Indiana:
This win puts the Fever back at .500 (10–10) and solidifies their status as a legitimate playoff contender. More importantly, it shows that this team is more than just Caitlin Clark. With Boston anchoring the middle, Mitchell finding her rhythm, and Cunningham offering toughness, Indiana is becoming well-rounded and dangerous.
Their ability to recover from early deficits shows growth. And their second-half dominance indicates they’re maturing into a team that can close games—a quality every playoff team must have.
❌ For Atlanta:
The Dream fall to 12–8 and continue to struggle with consistency, especially on the road. While Canada’s brilliance in the first half was impressive, the Dream lacked secondary scoring when Indiana shut her down.
Their defense gave up far too many open looks, and their bench was largely ineffective. Fixing those gaps will be key if Atlanta wants to make a serious postseason push.
🔭 Looking Ahead
Next Up for the Fever:
A matchup against the Washington Mystics looms—a winnable game that could give Indiana its first win streak in several weeks.
Next for the Dream:
They return home to face the Chicago Sky, looking to regroup and regain their defensive identity.
🏁 Final Takeaway
Friday night’s win was more than just a regular-season victory. It was a glimpse of what the Indiana Fever can become when firing on all cylinders. Caitlin Clark didn’t need to drop 30 points. Instead, she trusted her teammates, ran the offense, and let the system work—and it did, beautifully.
Aliyah Boston was a dominant two-way force. Mitchell exploded when it mattered most. And Cunningham provided the glue and fire that every contending team needs.
If the Fever can replicate this formula, they may not just sneak into the playoffs—they could make real noise when they get there.
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