Thursday was an exciting night for the Indiana Fever as they welcomed their newest star, rookie Caitlin Clark, to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for her first home game against the Atlanta Dream. Despite being a preseason game, the arena was filled with eager fans anticipating the performance of the number one draft pick.
The first half proved to be a challenge for the Fever, as they struggled with inaccurate passes and multiple missed rebounds. Their offensive game also faced difficulties with missed three-point shots and layups. Although the Dream maintained a lead throughout the first half, the Fever made a strong comeback from a 10-point deficit, bringing the score to 48-49 at halftime.
The second half marked a significant change for the Fever as they adjusted their game strategy and adopted a more controlled approach. This tactical shift allowed them to secure their first lead of the game, which they fiercely defended.
Their strong defense, highlighted by 11 blocks and 9 steals compared to the Dream’s 3 blocks and 11 steals, ultimately played a key role in securing the victory.
Despite facing challenges, including 21 turnovers, the Fever emerged victorious with a final score of 83-80. Playing a major role in the Indy comeback was F NaLyssa Smith, who racked up 21 points, 6 rebounds and was a human highlight reel.
Looking ahead, the regular season will kick off on Thursday, May 16th, with the Indiana Fever facing off against the New York Liberty.
-Tim Stepp
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