On May 22, 2025, the Indiana Fever ground out a scrappy but crucial 81–76 win over the Atlanta Dream in what fans and analysts alike are calling an “ugly” victory. But for a team still trying to find its rhythm early in the WNBA season, any win is a good win—especially one driven by grit, hustle, and a much-needed bounce-back performance from veteran Natasha Howard.

 Natasha Howard Delivers a Statement Game

After struggling in earlier matchups, Natasha Howard reminded everyone why she’s a former All-Star. She finished with a dominant 26 points on 12-of-17 shooting, pacing the Fever with efficient scoring, aggressive rebounding, and vocal leadership on both ends of the floor.

“I just stayed focused and let the game come to me,” said Howard. “This team needed a spark, and I knew I could provide that.”

 Sophie Cunningham & Lexie Hull Provide the Jolt

With rookie sensation Caitlin Clark having an uncharacteristically cold night (11 points, 0-of-5 from three), it was the duo of Sophie Cunningham and Lexie Hull who injected life into a sluggish Indiana offense.

Cunningham brought fire off the bench with her trademark hustle—diving for loose balls, energizing the defense, and creating second-chance opportunities.

Hull knocked down key perimeter shots and made smart cuts, helping stretch the floor and create spacing for Howard and Aliyah Boston in the post.

Their effort didn’t just show up on the stat sheet—it shifted the momentum of the game.

 Caitlin Clark Struggles, But Stays Composed

Caitlin Clark, the Fever’s high-profile rookie, had one of her quietest games since entering the league. She missed all five of her three-point attempts and appeared visibly frustrated at times. Still, Clark contributed 4 rebounds and 3 assists, showing maturity by staying engaged and making winning plays down the stretch.

“It’s not always about scoring. I trust my teammates and just tried to do the little things to help us win,” Clark said postgame.

 Aliyah Boston: Consistent & Clutch

While Howard stole the headlines, Aliyah Boston quietly posted another strong double-double: 18 points and 10 rebounds. Her physical presence in the paint was a constant, and she played a pivotal role in sealing the win with clutch rebounds and post-defense in the final minutes.

Coach Christie Sides Praises “Toughness Win”

Fever head coach Christie Sides acknowledged the performance wasn’t pretty but emphasized that the team’s effort and toughness made the difference:

“We didn’t shoot the lights out. We didn’t play perfect. But we played hard. This is a win that builds character.”

 Looking Ahead

With this win, the Fever move to 2–5 on the season. While offensive consistency is still a work in progress, the team’s ability to grind out a tough road win bodes well moving forward. With veterans stepping up and role players finding their footing, Indiana may be closer to putting the pieces together than their record suggests.