The Indiana Fever weren’t perfect Thursday night, but they were tough, timely, and relentless when it mattered most.
Behind a season-high 26 points from Natasha Howard and a clutch fourth-quarter push from Kelsey Mitchell and Sophie Cunningham, the Fever escaped Atlanta with an 81–76 win over the Dream — a gritty, foul-heavy contest that saw the end of Caitlin Clark’s historic three-point streak, but another step forward for one of the WNBA’s most intriguing young teams.
“Good dub. Ugly, but we found a way to win,” Clark said walking off the floor, a line that perfectly captured Indiana’s uneven — but effective — performance.
Caitlin Clark’s Streak Snapped, But Indiana Fever Stay Steady
Clark finished with 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting, but for the first time in her WNBA career, she didn’t make a single three-pointer. Her 0-for-5 mark from beyond the arc ended a 140-game streak across college and the pros dating back to January 13, 2022.
Even without the deep ball, Clark remained a steady playmaker, dishing out six assists and grabbing four rebounds while commanding attention throughout.
While Clark struggled to find her shot, Indiana leaned on its veteran leaders.
Howard was unstoppable in the paint, scoring 13 of her 26 points in the third quarter and grabbing multiple key rebounds on both ends. She matched her career high with 12 made field goals, flashing the efficiency that once made her an All-Star with the Liberty.
Mitchell added 17 points, including nine in the second quarter and a go-ahead three in the final minutes that swung the momentum for good. A late layup by Aliyah Boston, an offensive foul drawn by Cunningham, and critical free throws sealed Indiana’s second straight win.
A Team Still Finding Its Identity
Cunningham, who missed the first two games with an ankle injury, checked in late in the first quarter and immediately made an impact. She drained a 25-foot three for her first points of the season and ended with nine points, six rebounds, and three assists in just 18 minutes.
Lexie Hull matched a career high with four assists, and Damiris Dantas provided key stops and a momentum-swinging three in the second quarter. Indiana’s bench helped erase an early deficit and bring steady energy to a choppy game filled with whistles.
The Fever outrebounded Atlanta 41–36 — a margin that pushed their league-leading total to 119 through three games.
The Main Event: Indiana Fever vs. New York Liberty
Now 2–1, Indiana heads back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to face their biggest test yet: the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty.
New York (2–0) comes in red-hot, fresh off a 99–75 dismantling of Chicago in which they hit a franchise-record 19 threes. Led by Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, and new addition Natasha Cloud — who’s averaging 20 points and 8.5 assists — the Liberty are considered early title favorites.
Indiana will need Clark’s shooting to rebound, but Thursday’s win proved this team is far more than a one-player show. With Howard dominating inside, Mitchell stepping up late, and the bench finding its rhythm, the Fever are slowly building something real.
Tip-off for Saturday’s nationally televised clash is 1 p.m. ET on CBS.
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