Atlanta Dream Fall to Fever 81-76 in Sold-Out Home Opener Despite Strong Performances

ATLANTA, GA — In front of a sellout crowd at the award winning State Farm Arena, Atlanta Dream suffered a tough 81-76 loss to the Indiana Fever on Thursday night, evening the season series at 1-1. After edging the Fever in Indiana just days prior, Atlanta couldn’t recreate the magic on home court despite four players finishing in double figures and Brionna Jones recording her third consecutive double-double.

This matchup, marked by intense stretches of back-and-forth play, highlighted the growing rivalry between two talented squads. Atlanta’s all-time record against the Fever now stands at 34-32, including a 20-12 advantage at home.

The Dream started Te-Hina Paopao, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Brionna Jones, and Brittney Griner for the third straight game. The combination showed flashes of brilliance, but a few cold shooting spells proved costly down the stretch.

Veteran center Brittney Griner etched her name deeper into WNBA history by surpassing DeLisha Milton-Jones for 15th on the All-Time Defensive Rebounds list with her 1,807th board, collected late in the first quarter. She also added three rebounds in the third to help keep the Dream in contention.

Jones continued her impressive start to the season, notching another double-double with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists. She was a consistent presence on both ends of the floor and completed her double-double with more than three minutes remaining in the final quarter.

Jones came out firing with a three-pointer and a smooth jumper to give Atlanta early momentum. The Dream dominated the boards early (13-10), with Jones and Rhyne Howard pacing the scoring with seven points each. Atlanta surged with a 14-5 run during the period and held Caitlin Clark to just four points in the first half.

Paopao nailed a timely three to retake the lead in the second quarter, then assisted Jones for another deep shot. Howard drained a buzzer-beating 27-footer to end the half with Atlanta trailing by just three. Despite solid defensive efforts, Indiana maintained a narrow lead.

Paopao continued her hot hand in the third, scoring eight points, including two clutch three-pointers that helped even the score. Atlanta shot 50% from the field in the quarter and found rhythm from long range, with Nia Coffey knocking down back-to-back threes. Maya Caldwell added two key assists to help keep the offense moving.

In the final quarter, Howard tied Elizabeth Williams for sixth on the Dream’s all-time steals list after intercepting a pass from Caitlin Clark. Gray led Atlanta in scoring during the last 10 minutes with nine points, but a few defensive lapses and timely Fever baskets sealed the game for Indiana.

Rhyne Howard finished with a game-high 25 points, followed by Jones with 15, Gray with 11, and Paopao also contributing 11. The Dream ended the game with four players scoring in double figures.

Thursday’s contest was officially a sellout, marking the third time in less than a year that the Dream have filled State Farm Arena’s 17,000+ seat arena.

Though Atlanta came up short against the Fever, the team’s consistent effort, defensive intensity, and the unwavering support of a packed crowd point to a promising season ahead. The Dream will look to rebound during a crucial weekend doubleheader at home — taking on the Dallas Wings on Saturday, May 24, followed by a showdown with the Connecticut Sun on Sunday, May 25.

Both games are sold out, extending the Dream’s home sellout streak to 24 consecutive games — a testament to the franchise’s growing fanbase and the electric atmosphere at Gateway Center Arena. Tip-off for both matchups is scheduled for 3:00 PM ET.