The Indiana Fever clawed their way to a gritty 81–76 win over the Atlanta Dream on May 22, 2025, in what many fans are calling an “ugly win”—but a win nonetheless. With star rookie Caitlin Clark having an off night, it was the relentless hustle of Sophie Cunningham and Lexie Hull, along with a bounce-back performance from Natasha Howard, that sparked the team to victory.

Howard Rebounds in a Big Way

After a shaky start to the season, veteran forward Natasha Howard silenced critics with a dominant performance. She finished the night with 26 points on 12-of-17 shooting, adding much-needed composure and leadership to the Fever offense. Her ability to score in the mid-range and finish through contact helped keep the Fever afloat during key stretches.

“I had to remind myself who I am,” Howard said postgame. “This team needs me to lead.”

Sophie Cunningham & Lexie Hull Bring the Spark

Sophie Cunningham brought her trademark energy off the bench, diving for loose balls, hitting timely shots, and setting the tone with aggressive defense. She didn’t fill up the stat sheet, but her impact was felt in every hustle play and screen.

Lexie Hull, meanwhile, knocked down two critical three-pointers and gave the Fever some spacing that they sorely lacked in previous games. Her movement without the ball and defensive intensity were key in slowing down Atlanta’s perimeter threats.

Clark Struggles, But Still Leads

Caitlin Clark had one of her rougher outings as a pro, finishing with just 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting, including 0-for-5 from three. But even when her shot wasn’t falling, Clark contributed with smart passes and gritty defense, ending with 3 assists and 4 rebounds.

“Some nights the shots don’t drop, but I’m not going to stop playing hard,” Clark said. “I trust my teammates, and tonight they stepped up.”

Aliyah Boston’s Quiet Double-Double

Overshadowed by the drama around the perimeter, Aliyah Boston quietly posted 18 points and 10 rebounds, anchoring the paint and providing a consistent inside presence. She continues to be the stabilizing force for Indiana’s frontcourt.

Coach Christie Sides: “We Gutted This One Out”

Fever head coach Christie Sides praised her team’s resilience:

“It wasn’t pretty, but wins like this build character. Sophie and Lexie gave us a shot of adrenaline, and Natasha looked like the All-Star we know she is.”

What This Means for the Fever

This win moves the Fever to 2–5 on the season, and while it’s far from a perfect performance, it marks a turning point. With Howard rediscovering her rhythm and role players like Cunningham and Hull stepping into the spotlight, the Fever are beginning to find the grit and identity they’ve been searching for.

Next up, they face a major test against the New York Liberty on May 24 at Barclays Center.