Sunday's Fever vs Dream showdown went the distance, as Indiana came out on top 95-91 in an overtime thriller to lock down fourth place in the WNBA standings and push its winning streak to four.
The result evened the season series at 2-2 as the Fever moved to 23-12 on the year. Atlanta, meanwhile, slipped to 21-13 with the loss.
Indiana Fever Forces Overtime in Late Game Surge
Caitlin Clark led the charge, pacing Indiana with 26 points and nine assists on the night. Kelsey Mitchell added 20, extending her streak of 20-plus-point outings to 19 straight games. It was her layup, with 13.6 seconds left in overtime, that sealed the result.
Aliyah Boston also posted big numbers with 18 points and 14 rebounds, but the swing came from rookie Makayla Timpson, whose career-high 20 points included the Fever's first three field goals of the extra period.
But Atlanta made sure the win didn't come easy.
Atlanta Dream Fight Back Behind Career-High Allisha Gray Performance
Allisha Gray tied her career high with 32 points, adding seven rebounds and five assists. Rhyne Howard chipped in 17, while Angel Reese contributed 15 points and 14 rebounds.
Still, the Dream could not convert late in regulation or in the final seconds of overtime.
With the WNBA playoff bracket taking shape, the win bolstered the Fever's postseason hopes, something Clark said the team was keenly aware of.
"Coming into each night, we know how important that win is to hopefully get home court advantage in the playoffs," she said after the game.
Five of the Fever's last nine opponents currently sit in playoff position. Atlanta faces a similar gauntlet, tipping off its longest remaining trip with games at Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and back to Los Angeles. Four of the Dream's final 10 opponents are also in the postseason mix.
