The Indiana Fever faced off against the Atlanta Dream on May 22, 2025, in a game that marked a turning point in their young WNBA season. Coming into the matchup with a 1–5 record and searching for momentum, the Fever dug deep to pull off a gritty 81–76 victory on the road at State Farm Arena. The win not only avenged an earlier loss to Atlanta but also revealed signs of chemistry, resilience, and depth within Indiana’s roster.

Natasha Howard Leads the Charge

Veteran forward Natasha Howard delivered her best performance of the season, exploding for 26 points on 12-of-17 shooting. Her assertiveness in the paint and leadership on both ends of the floor were critical, especially as star rookie Caitlin Clark struggled to find her rhythm.

“I just wanted to stay locked in,” Howard said postgame. “It wasn’t about proving anything—it was about helping us win.”

Clark’s Off-Night, But Clutch Late

Caitlin Clark, the highly anticipated No. 1 overall pick, had an uncharacteristically cold night, finishing with 11 points, 0-for-5 from beyond the arc, and 3 assists. Despite her shooting woes, Clark stayed composed and came up big in the final moments with a perfectly timed assist to Sophie Cunningham for the go-ahead bucket.

“It’s not always going to be your night,” Clark admitted. “But I’ll always find a way to help the team.”

Role Players Step Up

Two names that quietly shaped the outcome were Sophie Cunningham and Lexie Hull. Cunningham brought her trademark grit and timely scoring, including the game-sealing corner three late in the fourth. Hull added valuable defensive minutes, contributing to a strong team effort on the perimeter.

“We needed to bring the energy, and that’s what we did,” said Cunningham. “We’re starting to find our identity.”

Aliyah Boston: The Anchor

Center Aliyah Boston put together a classic performance—18 points and 10 rebounds, controlling the glass and protecting the rim. Her consistency remains one of the Fever’s biggest strengths.

Final Score:

Indiana Fever 81 – Atlanta Dream 76

Natasha Howard: 26 pts, 7 reb

Aliyah Boston: 18 pts, 10 reb

Caitlin Clark: 11 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast

Sophie Cunningham: 9 pts, 3 ast

Rhyne Howard (Dream): 17 pts, 4 reb

Looking Ahead

The Fever’s hard-fought win improved their record to 2–5 and offered a glimpse into the kind of team they’re becoming—tough, scrappy, and dangerous when they click. Next, they face the New York Liberty at Barclays Center on May 24, where they’ll look to build on this momentum.

Final Thought:
This wasn’t Indiana’s cleanest game—but it was one of their most important. With a balanced team effort, a bounce-back from Natasha Howard, and a mature late-game play from Caitlin Clark, the Fever are starting to heat up.