INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 16: Aliyah Boston #7 and Lexie Hull #10 of the Indiana Fever celebrate during the second half against the Atlanta Dream in game two of the first round of WNBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on September 16, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
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In the first game on Tuesday, September 16, the Indiana Fever sparked life into their defense and were able to hold the Dream offense to just 60 points in their 77-60 victory. The Dream were the fourth most efficient offense in the regular season as they averaged 84.4 points per game.
Additionally, in comparison to game one which saw the Dream’s Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray combine for 40 points, the Fever defense held the scoring duo to 19 points and 7-for-25 from the field.
The Fever were led by the trio of guard Kelsey Mitchell who contributed 19 points and four assists, forward Natasha Howard (12 points, five rebounds), and forward Aliyah Boston who tallied 15 points and five rebounds.
However, the win was a team effort as forward Brianna Turner (four points, six rebounds), forward Mikayla Timpson (nine points), guards Shey Peddy, Lexie Hull, and Aerial Powers brought the defensive energy and physicality that Indiana desperately needed.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 16: Natasha Howard #6 of the Indiana Fever goes up for a shot in the second half against the Atlanta Dream in game two of the first round of WNBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on September 16, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
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This physicality seemed to frustrate and divert the Dream from their game plan. Not to mention, Gainbridge Fieldhouse was electric, loud, and determined to will their home team to the much needed win.
Perhaps turning the win a bit sour at the end of the game, in the fourth quarter, a Fever fan was escorted out of the arena for comments directed at Gray. The two had a heated exchange. The fan was immediately ejected from Gainbridge Fieldhouse by security.
In the post game interview, head coach Stephanie White commented on the defensive effort that held the Dream to 60 points, “Our aggressiveness, our attention to detail, our ability to contest without fouling, to be disciplined in that area, I thought that was huge. You know, we played good enough defense down there, but our offensive just couldn’t get going and we were able to get it going on both sides tonight. I just continue to be so proud of this group, and their resilience, their toughness, and their ability to respond.”
The series win-or-go home showdown happens on Thursday, September 18 at 7:30 pm EST with the Fever traveling back to Atlanta. The game will air on ESPN2.
Aces Silenced by the Late Storm Push
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 16: Nneka Ogwumike #3 of the Seattle Storm gathers her team after beating the Las Vegas Aces at Climate Pledge Arena on September 16, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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In the second game of the evening, the Las Vegas Aces were stunned by the Storm’s fourth quarter offense and lost, 86-83. The WNBA’s most lethal team had their win streak upended as Seattle rallied back from a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
The Storm were able to piece together the triumph thanks to their spark off the bench guard Erica Wheeler, who sunk a three pointer at the three minute mark followed up by a jumper that brought the game within one point with less than 1:30 in the game. Then rookie center Dominique Malonga completed a three point play that propelled the Storm up by one point, 84-83 with 31 seconds remaining.
It would be the veteran leadership of guard Skylar Diggins who thrust Seattle to a crucial game two win with a 10-foot pull up jumper at the 4.7 second mark. Diggins alongside forward Nneka Ogwumike combined for 50 of the team’s 86 points.
Malonga, despite being only 19 years old has been impressive in the playoffs thus far with back-to-back double-doubles. She had 12 points and 11 rebounds in game one and 11 points and 10 rebounds in game two.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 14: A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces shoots against Dominique Malonga #14 of the Seattle Storm in the third quarter of Game One of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs first round at Michelob ULTRA Arena on September 14, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
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In the loss, Aces’ MVP candidate A’ja Wilson had her 21st double-double of the season with 21 points and 12 rebounds and Jackie Young contributed 25 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
In her playoff debut back in Climate Pledge Arena since her exit from the Storm in the offseason, Jewell Loyd had an additional 13 points off the bench.
Seattle and Las Vegas will play again on Thursday, September 18 with the winner advancing to the semi-finals. The final game of the series airs after the Fever/Storm game at 9:30 pm EST on ESPN2.
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