Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever secured a solid victory over the Atlanta Dream in front of a record-breaking crowd of 17,575 fans at the State Farm Arena. NaLyssa Smith’s impressive performance with 21 points and nine rebounds, combined with Caitlin Clark’s 16 points and seven assists, led the Fever to a 91-79 win.
The Atlanta Dream set a new franchise record for single-game home attendance, surpassing their previous record set back in 2008. The high demand for tickets to see Clark, the top draft pick, led to the game being played at the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks’ home arena. This move was necessary as the Dream’s usual home venue has a significantly smaller capacity.
Despite the absence of Rhyne Howard, the Dream’s 2022 top pick, due to a lower leg injury, both teams put on an exciting show for the enthusiastic crowd. Indiana dominated the first quarter, scoring a season-high 35 points and shooting an impressive 70% from the field to take an early lead.
Caitlin Clark’s sharpshooting from beyond the arc, including her fourth 3-pointer of the game, helped extend Indiana’s lead in the third quarter. The Fever went on an 11-3 run, ultimately securing a comfortable 79-62 lead that they maintained until the final buzzer.
Kelsey Mitchell contributed 18 points, while Aliyah Boston recorded a double-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks. Katie Lou Samuelson added 10 points off the bench, further strengthening the Fever’s performance.
On the other side, Tina Charles led the Atlanta Dream with a season-high 24 points, showcasing her scoring prowess. Allisha Gray and Haley Jones also made significant contributions to their team’s effort, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Fever’s strong performance.
The next matchup between the Atlanta Dream and the Indiana Fever, scheduled for August 26, will once again take place at the State Farm Arena. Fans can look forward to another exciting game between these two talented teams as they battle it out on the court.
Overall, the record-breaking attendance and thrilling gameplay made this game a memorable experience for both the players and the fans in attendance. The Indiana Fever’s impressive victory and the individual performances of key players like Caitlin Clark and NaLyssa Smith will surely be talked about in the days to come.
