Kelsey Mitchell scored 29 points, including the game-winning free throws with 5 seconds left, and Caitlin Clark added 19 points as the Indiana Fever defeated the Atlanta Dream 84-79 on Monday night, disappointing a record crowd in Atlanta.
In the final moments, Atlanta missed two 3-pointers and grabbed two offensive rebounds before losing the ball, which led to Mitchell’s crucial free throws.
Atlanta (10-19), which was just half a game away from the last playoff spot, fell behind by 18 points early in the second half. Clark hit a 3-pointer, and Atlanta outscored the Fever (14-16) 41-32. The Dream came within two points before Indiana scored five quick points to stop their comeback.
Aliyah Boston had 14 points and 11 rebounds for Indiana, and Damiris Dantas added 33 points off the bench. Clark made four 3-pointers, tying the rookie record of 85 set by Atlanta’s Rhyn Howard in 2022.
Tina Charles led Atlanta with 21 points. The game was held at the Atlanta Hawks’ arena and set a new attendance record of 17,608, surpassing the previous record of 17,575 set during a game against the Fever.
Howard scored 16 points, Allisha Gray had 12 points but none after a flagrant foul from Boston in the third quarter, and Jordin Canada added 10 points for the Dream.
Howard’s 3-pointer brought Atlanta to within 76-74 with 4:13 left, but after an offensive rebound, Clark assisted Lexie Hull for a layup and free throw. Hull then rebounded her missed free throw and passed to Mitchell, who scored another layup to give Indiana an 81-74 lead.
