Indiana Fever Lose 77-58 to Atlanta Dream Amid Coach White's Return, Clark Absence

The Indiana Fever suffered a heavy 77-58 defeat to the Atlanta Dream in a game marked by a significant third-quarter collapse, where the Fever were outscored 23-9 and struggled offensively. Fever head coach Stephanie White, returning after a personal leave, criticized her team's lack of physicality and defensive execution, highlighting the impact of star guard Caitlin Clark's ongoing absence due to a quad injury. Aliyah Boston, the Fever’s key player, had a subpar game against the Dream's strong frontcourt, finishing with just seven points, while Atlanta's Allisha Gray and Brionna Jones dominated, combining for 44 points and controlling rebounds. Despite a competitive first half, Indiana's shooting accuracy plummeted in the second, with only 36.2 percent from the field and poor three-point shooting, contributing to their struggles. The team's difficulties in matching Atlanta's defensive physicality and guard play were central to the loss, with White emphasizing the need for tougher practice competition and better defensive rotations. The Fever look to regroup and find solutions as they prepare for their next and final regular-season meeting with the Dream, who currently lead the series 2-1.