Fever stun Dream in playoff upset as Clark and Cunningham sidelined

The Indiana Fever upset the Atlanta Dream 87-85 in Game 3 of the first-round series to advance to the WNBA semifinals, a result achieved despite injuries to two of the franchise’s top players. With Caitlin Clark sidelined by a groin injury and Sophie Cunningham out with a right knee issue, Indiana rode a collective effort to seize the series in two straight wins after losing the opener. Kelsey Mitchell scored a game-high 24 points, and Odyssey Sims supplied 16 points and the helper on the game-winning play, underscoring the Fever’s depth in a postseason moment that swung the balance of power in the Eastern Conference.

The pivotal sequence arrived with just over four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. After Allisha Gray drew a foul, Sims had the ball in the vicinity of the top of the key and orchestrated the deciding possession. Sims found Aliyah Boston for the go-ahead basket that put Indiana in front for good, capping a fourth-quarter rally in which the Fever repeatedly answered Atlanta’s runs. The closing minutes were shaded by a tense atmosphere, as Indiana’s bench and departing fans cheered the team’s resilience while the Dream pressed for every possible turnover and stop.

Mitchell’s 24 points anchored Indiana’s offense, but the win stood out for how it was achieved without its two star wings. Clark, who had endured groin strains and quad issues this season before being shut down for the playoffs, watched from the bench as Cunningham, who had rehabbed a knee problem, remained sidelined. The absence of Clark and Cunningham left questions about how far the Fever could go, yet interim coach Stephanie White emphasized the team’s collective identity and willingness to adapt.

Following the final buzzer, Fever players walked off the court amid boos, turning to the crowd and flashing a distinctive celebratory “W” gesture as a statement of triumph. Cunningham drew additional attention for standing near midcourt during the postgame moment, even after a police officer asked her to back up. The scene became a talking point as clips circulated on social media. Cunningham later shared a post featuring the moment, noting the aura surrounding the win, a message that reflected the team’s mood in the aftermath of the upset.

Indiana’s turnaround in the playoffs has been driven as much by depth and grit as by stars. White has repeatedly lauded the club’s willingness to put the “we” before the “me,” highlighting how contributions from players beyond Clark and Cunningham helped spark the breakthrough. The Fever’s ability to sustain pressure and execute down the stretch illustrated a shift from a season spent battling injuries to a postseason charge that defied expectations. The coach’s praise of the group’s resilience, flexibility and selflessness resonated with players who leaned into a collective effort in the absence of their marquee lineup.

With the victory, Indiana advances to its first semifinals appearance since 2015 and will meet the Las Vegas Aces, the defending league champions, in a series that will test the Fever’s resolve against one of the league’s most formidable rosters. The path ahead will demand that Indiana continue to maximize its depth and capitalize on the momentum generated by this late-season surge, while Clark and Cunningham watch from recovery rooms for signs of health ahead of the next round.

The surrounding circumstances in the series have added texture to the Fever’s achievement. Indiana entered the season with championship expectations after adding Cunningham and reshaping the roster under White, but injuries — including Clark’s multi-groin and quad issues — altered the course of the year and kept the club from fielding its full complement for much of the campaign. The current postseason outcome, however, has reframed the narrative, underscoring a resilient, opportunistic Fever squad capable of overcoming adversity when it matters most.

As the semifinals loom, the Fever will focus on sustaining the defensive energy and execution that carried them through the Atlanta series. The matchup with the Aces will test Indiana’s depth against one of the league’s most efficient offenses and a roster with star power across multiple positions. The chance to advance further into the postseason offers a new chapter for a club that has weathered injuries and doubt to reach a moment of potential historic significance in franchise history.