Indiana Fever Defeats Dream 77-60, Forces Game 3 Showdown

UPDATE: The Indiana Fever kept their playoff hopes alive with a commanding 77-60 victory over the Atlanta Dream on the night of July 25, 2023. Kelsey Mitchell led the charge, scoring 19 points and sinking four 3-pointers, while Aliyah Boston contributed 15 points to extend the best-of-three series.

This win sets the stage for an intense Game 3 showdown on Thursday in Atlanta, where the Dream will seek to break a playoff series drought dating back to 2016. Indiana’s last series victory was in 2015, making this matchup critical for both teams.

Mitchell’s performance was complemented by Natasha Howard, who added 12 points and five rebounds. Boston also showcased her versatility with five rebounds and three assists. The Fever dominated the court, outpacing the Dream, who fell significantly short of their regular-season scoring average.

Te-Hina Paopao led the Dream’s efforts off the bench with 11 points, while Rhyne Howard chipped in 10 points. Notably, Allisha Gray struggled through foul trouble, contributing nine points and seven rebounds, but her efforts were not enough to stave off defeat.

As tensions flared late in the game, two fans were escorted out of the arena following an altercation with Gray, adding to the drama of this already intense playoff battle.

In other playoff news, the Seattle Storm edged the Las Vegas Aces 86-83 in a thrilling contest, forcing a decisive Game 3. Skylar Diggins led Seattle with 26 points, hitting the game-winner with just 4.2 seconds left on the clock.

Stay tuned for the upcoming Game 3s that promise to deliver more excitement and pivotal moments as teams fight for a place in the WNBA semifinals.