On Thursday night, the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream battled in a do-or-die Game 3 in the first round of the WNBA playoffs. Entering the postseason, not too many expected a lot out of the Fever considering that their best player, Caitlin Clark, is out for the season amid her ongoing battle with a groin injury. But then the Fever have simply continued to shock the WNBA world since, as they forced a Game 3 with an impressive 77-60 victory in Game 2, setting up a rubber match.
With the series heading back on the road, the Fever were not favored against a Dream team that won 30 games in the regular season. But in the playoffs, none of the regular season matters anymore, and Indiana certainly played like it. With 7.4 seconds remaining in the game, Aliyah Boston made a go-ahead layup to put the Fever up, 86-85, which is the shot that would end up being the game-winner after Lexie Hull sealed the deal with a steal.
The Fever certainly managed to channel some of the magic the Indiana Pacers had in the 2025 NBA playoffs. They found themselves down by five, 85-80, with 2:32 to go after Rhyne Howard made a big triple. But then the Fever locked in on the defensive end, and Kelsey Mitchell, Hull, and Boston's baskets gave the Fever a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
Fans erupt on X following the Fever's major upset victory
The Fever are certainly playing with house money right now, as expectations for them are not very high right now considering how shorthanded they are. And fans on X are certainly impressed with the way they've rallied together amid their injury woes.
“That’s my team! It’s getting hot in here. Dream are hallucinating. Yes the Fever keep rising and [winning]! Bow bow bow,” @cc22_fan added.
“We are moving on! I’m so proud of this team! Dream has a really good team with great shooters. We limped in with bandages, crutches and backups for our backups, our great cheering squad/coaches and never gave up. KM was right “we all we got, we all we need!” GREAT JOB FEVER!” @Claytontee82207 wrote.
Advancing to the second round with Clark out is prompting some to make a few crazy takes regarding the Fever.
“THE FEVER WITH NO CAITLIN CLARK BOUNCED THE DREAM !!!! trade Caitlin Clark lollll,” @paullycpt opined.
The Fever will now be awaiting the winner of the Las Vegas Aces-Seattle Storm series, with the former living to see another day after putting an end to the former's winning streak on Tuesday.
