The Indiana Fever’s postseason campaign began with a stern defeat on Sept. 14, as the Atlanta Dream secured an 80-68 victory in Game 1 of the first round of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs.
Playing in front of a sold-out crowd of 3,800 at Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta, the Fever struggled with shooting consistency throughout the contest.
Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell, named to the AP All-WNBA First Team earlier this month, led all scorers with 27 points. Mitchell’s output marked the fifth-most points in a single playoff game in franchise history and a new postseason career high. Aliyah Boston, who also secured AP All-WNBA First Team honors, was the team’s leading rebounder, collecting 12 rebounds, which is tied for the eighth-most in a single playoff game in Fever history and the second-most in her postseason career. Boston also led the team in assists with five.
The Fever took an early lead, ending the first quarter up 21-18. The Dream quickly closed the void in the second frame, outscoring Indiana 22-12 and taking a 40-33 lead into halftime.
The Dream maintained their lead through the third quarter, which ended 58-53, before pulling away in the fourth completely with a 22-15 scoring advantage to seal the win.
Atlanta’s offensive efforts were led by All-Star guard Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard, who each scored 20 points. Naz Hillmon contributed 16 points and led the team in rebounds with nine.
The Dream had a higher field goal percentage, converting 38.6 percent of their shots compared to the Fever’s 34.9 percent. Atlanta also had a significant advantage from the free-throw line, shooting 90.5 percent while Indiana shot 75.9 percent. The Dream also had a better three-point percentage, 31.8 percent to the Fever’s 13.3 percent.
Fever rookie Mikayla Timpson and Bree Hall both made their WNBA Playoff debut. Hall scored her first postseason point with a free throw in the fourth frame. Despite the loss, the Fever had a nine-point lead at one point during the game. However, the Dream’s biggest lead was 16 points. The game featured seven ties and three lead changes.
The Fever committed 15 turnovers, equal to the Dream’s turnover total. The Dream, however, capitalized on their opportunities, scoring 20 points off turnovers compared to the Fever’s 13. In addition, the Dream had more points in the paint, 40 to 34, and a significant edge in second-chance points, 18 to 10. The Fever’s season postseason record is now 0-1.
Indiana now trails 0-1 in the series. The next game is slated for 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 16 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. It will be the first playoff game the Fever have hosted in Indy since 2016. The game airs on ABC.
For tickers, visit feverbasketball.com.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on Facebook and TikTok @HorsemenSportsMedia. For more WNBA Playoffs news, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
