Dream Fall in Game 2, Series Heads Back to Atlanta Tied 1–1

The Atlanta Dream couldn’t quite pull away in Indianapolis, falling to the Fever in Game 2 and evening the first-round series at 1–1. With the loss, the Dream’s playoff away record drops to 0–1, while the starting lineup of Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon, and Brionna Jones now stands at 1–1 this postseason.

Rookie guard Te-Hina Paopao shined brightest in just her second career playoff appearance, leading the Dream in scoring with 11 points while adding a steal, block, and rebound in 14 minutes off the bench. Rhyne Howard chipped in 10 points along with three assists, two boards, and two steals in a balanced effort. Allisha Gray provided steady two-way play, finishing with nine points, seven rebounds, and two assists. Naz Hillmon contributed eight points, seven rebounds, and three assists, while Brionna Jones added eight points, two rebounds, and two steals to round out Atlanta’s starters.

Canada opened the game with a smooth layup, followed quickly by a jumper from Jones to keep things even. Off the bench, Tina Griner made her presence felt with an inside finish, while Jones continued to battle down low. A key defensive steal by Jones led to a Gray transition bucket that trimmed Indiana’s lead. The Dream shot 50% from the field in the opening quarter, with Jones and Canada combining for over 70% of that efficiency.

Howard opened the second frame with a jumper and a free throw to keep the Dream within striking distance. Jones muscled through the defense for a tough finish, cutting the lead to five. Hillmon chipped in with back-to-back buckets, the second coming off a hustle play from Paopao. The quarter played nearly even, with both squads tallying 15 points. Gray provided the highlight just before the horn, burying a three with 1.2 seconds left to trim Indiana’s lead to 35–29 at the break.

Gray and Hillmon helped the Dream keep pace with consecutive inside scores early in the third quarter. Hillmon again tightened the margin with a clutch bucket in traffic. At the line, Howard and Gray combined to push Atlanta’s free-throw mark to 75% in the period. Gray notched her fourth field goal of the game before Griner answered for Indiana, sending the Dream into the final quarter still chasing.

That’s when Paopao caught fire. The rookie drilled her first three of the game to spark the Dream’s offense, and Maya Caldwell followed with another from deep off the bench. Paopao kept pouring it on — hitting a mid-range jumper, then sealing her night with a second three-pointer. She closed with 11 points and accounted for nearly 70% of Atlanta’s fourth-quarter scoring.

Indiana refused to back down, closing strong to even the series and force a decisive Game 3. Now it all comes down to one night — win or go home. The Dream return to Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, September 18 at 7:30 p.m. for a do-or-die showdown, with their season and a trip to the semifinals hanging in the balance.