Dream Denied: Atlanta’s Season Ends in Heartbreaker vs. Fever

Here’s How the Heartbreak Began—

The Dream tipped off their must-win playoff matchup against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena with high energy on Thursday, Sept. 18. Atlanta got on the board first with Brionna Jones finishing a fast-break layup, and Rhyne Howard quickly added a jumper to make it 5–0. Indiana answered behind Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston, and the Fever fought back to tie things up at 11–11 midway through. The quarter turned into a back-and-forth battle with both teams trading buckets and defensive stops.

Late in the frame, Te-Hina Paopao and Naz Hillmon sparked the Dream, while Natasha Howard kept Indiana close. After a flurry of missed shots and rebounds in the final seconds, the Fever held a narrow 29–27 edge at the end of the first.

Rhyne Howard provided a spark for the Dream with a transition three, while Naz Hillmon added hustle plays that energized the home crowd. Indiana countered with Odyssey Sims’ aggressiveness on both ends, Aliyah Boston’s dominance in the paint, and Lexie Hull’s sharp perimeter shooting, answering every Atlanta run.

Indiana got strong minutes from Kelsey Mitchell, who knocked down a deep three and attacked off the dribble, while Boston worked inside. Lexie Hull chipped in from beyond the arc, but the Fever couldn’t slow Atlanta’s balanced attack.

Fueled by timely baskets and tenacious defense, the Dream closed the half strong, holding a 56–49 lead over Indiana, with the home crowd on its feet feeling the shift in momentum.

The third quarter turned into a grind-it-out battle as both teams traded big plays with the season on the line. Atlanta leaned on Howard, who opened the quarter with a floater and a step-back jumper. Gray hit a corner three, and Hillmon contributed with rebounds and key points in the paint.

Indiana leaned on Mitchell’s aggressive drives and Boston’s work inside, but Atlanta’s defense held firm, with Brionna Jones and Naz Hillmon crashing the boards. Howard added a timely fast-break finish off a steal to keep momentum on the Dream’s side.

Every Indiana push was met with an Atlanta answer, highlighted by Gray’s corner three and Hillmon’s toughness at the stripe. The Fever kept it close behind Mitchell’s scoring bursts, but Atlanta’s balance carried them through. At the end of the third, the Dream held a 73–69 edge over the Fever, setting up a tense final period.

The fourth quarter had all the drama of playoff basketball, with the Dream clinging to a slim lead but unable to shake off Indiana. Howard drilled a deep three to push Atlanta up 85–80 with just over two minutes remaining, and the home crowd roared as it looked like momentum was shifting their way.

But the Fever never folded. Boston’s relentless presence in the paint and Mitchell’s late-game poise fueled a furious comeback. Hull converted a key layup off a turnover, and Boston added another bucket to cut the deficit to one.

In the final seconds, Sims was fouled and went to the line with Atlanta trailing by two. She sank the first free throw but missed the second, leaving the Dream down 87–85. Brionna Jones got one last look at the buzzer, but her three-pointer from the top of the arc rimmed out. The Dream fell 85–87 to Indiana, as the Fever advance to Round 2 of the WNBA Playoffs. Reflecting on the game, Coach Karl Smesko called it a “devastating ending” to what had been a season of progress.

A Season of Growth

Despite the heartbreaking playoff exit, this year was a major step forward for Atlanta. Under Coach Karl Smesko’s first full season at the helm, the Dream returned to the postseason and recorded their highest win total since 2018. Rhyne Howard emerged as an All-Star leader, while Allisha Gray provided veteran leadership and consistent production on both ends of the floor. Brittney Griner anchored the paint with her scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking presence, making a tangible impact on both offense and defense. Naz Hillmon contributed energy, toughness, and clutch scoring, and Jordin Canada added steady playmaking throughout the season. Together, the team demonstrated resilience and growth, setting a strong foundation for the future.

Looking Ahead

While the sting of elimination will linger, the Dream leave the 2025 season with momentum and a stronger foundation to build on. The fight, flashes of brilliance, and resilience on display throughout this campaign signaled that Atlanta is no longer just a team in transition—they’re a team ready to contend. The season may have ended in heartbreak, but the Dream’s future is brighter than ever.