INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Fever secured an 83-80 victory against the Atlanta Dream in its only 2024 preseason home game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Thursday night. Fever forward NaLyssa Smith had her second 20-point preseason scoring game, leading the Fever with 21 points.
Key Players Shine:
NaLyssa Smith Leads Scoring: Fever forward NaLyssa Smith delivered an outstanding performance, leading her team with 21 points, marking her second 20-point preseason game.
Grace Berger’s Playmaking: Guard Grace Berger showcased her playmaking skills, contributing a game-high seven assists, facilitating the Fever’s offensive efforts.
Impressive Rookie Debut: Rookie guard Caitlin Clark made her presence felt with 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds, demonstrating her potential impact on the court.
Contributions from Boston and Samuelson: Center Aliyah Boston and forward Katie Lou Samuelson each added 11 points to the Fever’s winning effort, with Boston also excelling defensively with a game-high four blocked shots.
Record-Breaking Attendance:
Thursday’s preseason game drew an impressive crowd of 13,028 spectators at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, marking the largest attendance for a preseason home game in Indiana Fever history. This milestone surpassed the previous record of 9,024 set back in 2000, highlighting the team’s enduring popularity and fan support.
Game Highlights:
- Early Challenge from Atlanta: The Atlanta Dream posed an early challenge for the Fever, establishing a lead of up to 15 points in the first half. Indiana trailed 30-24 at the end of the first quarter.
- Fever’s Resilient Comeback: Despite the early deficit, the Fever rallied back, narrowing the gap to 49-48 by halftime, courtesy of a put-back by rookie guard Celeste Taylor off a missed field goal.
- Dominant Second Half: Indiana seized control in the second half, limiting Atlanta to just 31 points while maintaining a strong defensive presence. The Dream struggled to find their rhythm, shooting less than 29 percent from the floor in the final 20 minutes.
- Interior Dominance: The Fever capitalized on their advantage inside the paint, outscoring Atlanta 38-28 in paint points. Their defensive prowess was evident with 11 blocked shots, stifling the Dream’s offensive attempts.
Atlanta’s Efforts:
Despite the loss, the Atlanta Dream showcased competitive performances from key players. Guard Rhyne Howard led Atlanta with 13 points, supported by contributions from Allisha Gray, Aerial Powers, and Tina Charles, each tallying 10 points. Forward Cheyenne Parker-Tyus added 11 points to the Dream’s scoring effort.
Upcoming Season Opener:
The Indiana Fever will commence their 2024 regular season campaign against the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Mohegan Sun Arena. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN 2, Disney+, the WNBA App, and WNBA League Pass, as the Fever aim to carry the momentum from their preseason success into the competitive season ahead.
| Player | Position | Points | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NaLyssa Smith | Forward | 21 | – | – |
– |
| Grace Berger | Guard | – | 7 | – | – |
| Caitlin Clark | Guard | 12 | – | 8 | – |
| Celeste Taylor | Guard | 8 | – | 6 | – |
| Aliyah Boston | Center | 11 | – | – | 4 |
| Katie Lou Samuelson | Forward | 11 | – | – | – |
Historic Attendance Milestone
Thursday’s game witnessed a record-breaking attendance of 13,028 fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, marking the largest home crowd at an Indiana Fever preseason game in franchise history. This milestone surpassed the previous record of 9,024 set back in 2000, as reported by the Elias Sports Bureau.
Game Analysis: Early Struggles and Second-Half Resurgence
Despite a strong start by Atlanta, who built a 15-point lead in the first half, the Fever mounted a comeback, narrowing the deficit to just one point at halftime. Indiana’s resilience was evident as they held Atlanta to only 31 points in the second half, with the Dream shooting below 29 percent from the field. The Fever’s dominance inside, with 38 points in the paint and 11 blocked shots, proved pivotal in securing the victory.
Atlanta Dream’s Performance
The Atlanta Dream put up a fierce fight, with notable performances from guards Allisha Gray, Aerial Powers, and center Tina Charles, each scoring 10 points. Guard Rhyne Howard led the Dream with 13 points, while forward Cheyenne Parker-Tyus contributed 11 points.
Looking Ahead: Regular Season Opener
The Indiana Fever will kick off their 2024 regular season campaign against the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday, May 14, at 7:30 p.m. ET at Mohegan Sun Arena. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN 2, Disney+, the WNBA App, and WNBA League Pass, as the Fever aim to carry the momentum from their preseason victory into the start of the season.
Conclusion:
The Indiana Fever’s preseason victory against the Atlanta Dream serves as an encouraging start to their journey in the 2024 WNBA season. With standout performances from key players like NaLyssa Smith, Grace Berger, and emerging talent Caitlin Clark, the Fever demonstrated their potential to compete at a high level. The record-breaking attendance at Gainbridge Fieldhouse reflects the unwavering support of Fever fans as they eagerly anticipate the upcoming season. As the Fever prepare to tip off against the Connecticut Sun in their regular season opener, they carry with them the confidence gained from their preseason triumph and the determination to achieve success on the court.
