Indiana Fever ended a 20-game losing streak dating back to June of 2022 by defeating Atlanta Dream, 90-87 courtesy a NaLyssa Smith performance.
Indiana Fever started the game with 2 forwards and 3 guards. Nalyssa Smith (#1) and Aliyah Boston (#7) were the forwards and Lexie Hull (#10), Kelsey Mitchell (#0) and Erica Wheeler (#17) were the guards.
Atlanta Dream started the game with Aari McDonald (#2), Alisha Gray (#15), Rhyne Howard (#10), Nia Coffey (#12) and Cheyenne Parker (#32).
This was Atlanta Dream’s first home game of the season, and the Indiana Fever were on the road to get their first win of the season.
NaLyssa Smith started the scoring
NaLyssa Smith started in Atlanta with a three-pointer. Aari McDonald somehow found Alisha Gray and Gray hit it beyond the arc to give the Dream a 9-3 lead. Alisha Gray then had a tough one on one thus scoring a total of 6 points in the quarter.
Nalyssa Smith then found her way to the net with a tough finish under the rim to make it 27 to Dream’s 29. Smith was up to eleven points in the first half when she tied the game at 32 points with 4 minutes and 34 seconds left in the second quarter.
Howard Rhyne sunk in a last second three-pointer while the shot clock was expiring to increase the lead of Dream to six, the scoreline read 44-38 in favor of the Dream. This shot was initially reviewed and ultimately given.
Heading in to the half, the Atlanta Dream were up against the Indiana Fever, 47-41. Cheyyene Smith had 14 points and 2 rebounds, NaLyssa Smith had 11 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist and Kelsey Mitchell had 11 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assist going in to the locker room after the end of two quarters.
Atlanta Dream showed Kia Vaugh appreciation after she announced her retirement last year during the half time break.
Nia Coffey blocked a lay-up attempt from Lexie Hull in the beginning of the third quarter. Kelsey Mitchell went under the rim for the reverse lay-up and gave the Fever a point lead with less than 30 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Howard Rhyne fought for the Dream
Howard Rhyne responded by sinking a three-pointer giving the Atlanta Dream a two pointe lead thus ending the third quarter with a 68-66 scorline.
NaLyssa Smith sank a deep three to draw the game at 74 with the shot clock winding down in the fourth quarter. NBA players, Lou Williams and Montrez Harrel who were in attendance applauded this effort by Smith.
The Indiana Fever lead 86-83 with 1 minute and 35 minutes left on the clock. A circus shot by Rhyne went in and it was 21 points for the 2022 WNBA Rookie of the Year.
A call for Atlanta Dream was reviewed via challenge from the opposing coach with the Fever leading 88-87 with 16.7 points left on the clock. It was successful coach’s challenge.
Kelsey Mitchell ensured the win
Kelsey Mitchell then knocked down two from the free throw line expanding the Fever lead, 90-87. Dream now had the ball with 13.2 seconds remaining. Eventually, the Indiana Fever secure 90-87 win and snapped their losing streak. Their losing streak dated back to June of 2022.
NaLyssa Smith had a game where she dropped 23 points and a season high 13 rebounds and 3 assists. Kelsey Mitchel had 15 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists, Aaliyah Boston had 13 points, 7 rebounds and 1 assists and Erica Wheeler had 11 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists.
For the Atlanta Dream, Rhyne Howard top scored with 23 points in addition to 4 rebounds and an assist, Cheyyene Parker had 21 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists and Alisha Gray had 19 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists in a losing effort.