ATLANTA β The race to the WNBA playoffs continued Sunday, Aug. 16 as the Indiana Fever (23-12) moved past the Atlanta Dream (21-13) with a 95-91 win.
The matchup was a virtual seesaw as both teams traded baskets, but it was the Fever who capitalized on the Dream losing steam in the fourth quarter. Atlanta scored just nine points in the fourth, opening the door for Indiana to come back and take over.
A late Sophie Cunningham and-1 with about three minutes remaining in regulation helped the Fever take a one-point lead, and it was enough to power the Fever through the rest of the fourth and into overtime.
Four Fever players scored in double digits, including Caitlin Clark, who finished with 26 points and nine assists. Kelsey Mitchell had 20 points,
extending her streak of 20 points or more to 19 games, and Aliyah Boston had a double-double with 18 points, 14 rebounds and five steals.
Allisha Gray finished with 32 points for the Dream. Rhyne Howard added 17 points, and Angel Reese had a double-double with 15 points, 14 rebounds and six assists.
Here's what happened on Sunday:
Fever take lead in overtime, pull away from Dream
The Fever have six points in overtime, which has helped them put some space between Atlanta. It's 87-83 with 2:57 remaining after baskets from Aliyah Boston and Makayla Timpson.
Overtime underway in Fever vs Dream
We have free basketball in Fever vs Dream. The Dream won the tip, and Angel Reese scored the first bucket of overtime.
End of Fourth Quarter: Fever 81, Dream 81
The Dream and Fever are all tied up as the game heads to overtime. Both teams struggled to score down the final three minutes of the game. Atlanta is shooting 36% from the floor to Indiana's 43%. Gray still leads all scorers with 32.
Both teams have four players in double-digits as well. In a rare situation, the Dream only scored nine points in the fourth.
Allisha Gray in foul trouble vs Fever
Gray is on the bench after picking up her fourth foul at the 3:47 mark of the fourth quarter. She'll get some rest, but perhaps not for long. At the 3:35 mark, the Fever lead 78-77 after a Sophie Cunningham and-1 with 3:34 remaining.
Iman Shumpert sits courtside with family at Fever vs Dream
A family affair β€οΈ
β WNBA (@WNBA) August 16, 2026
Iman Shumpert is court side with his two daughters to watch the Dream vs. the Fever!
IND-ATL | ESPN | Disney+
Tap to watch: https://t.co/ywDlbeNjjr pic.twitter.com/A0XZYu6BT8
Dream guard Allisha Gray is cooking vs Fever
Allisha Gray has tied her career high: 32 points. Gray also has five rebounds and four assists. Not to mention, she has four triples, which have helped Atlanta maintain its lead. The Dream lead 77-72 with 5:59 left.
UN-LISH'D π
β Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) August 16, 2026
32 PTS| 5 REB| 4 AST pic.twitter.com/PESuMX9N4t
End of Third Quarter: Dream 72, Fever 64
The Fever traded buckets with the Dream in the third, but Atlanta continues to hold off Indiana's advances. Atlanta has worked its way up to 40% shooting from the floor, while holding the Fever steady in their shooting.
Allisha Gray has 27 points has four rebounds and four assists to lead all scorers. Four Fever players are in double digits, including Caitlin Clark, who has 22 points and seven assists.
OI! OI! OI! pic.twitter.com/jpSrR5a0OE
β Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) August 16, 2026
Actress Storm Reid is at State Farm for Fever vs Dream
There's a storm in ATL π©οΈ
β WNBA (@WNBA) August 16, 2026
Storm Reid has been spotted front and center for the Fever vs. Dream!
IND-ATL | ESPN | Disney+
Tap to watch: https://t.co/ywDlbeNjjr pic.twitter.com/rMhEyLohmP
Rapper Lil Baby is at Fever vs Dream in Atlanta
The stars are out in ATL π
β WNBA (@WNBA) August 16, 2026
Lil Baby pulled up fresh and showed the camera some love in the A!
IND-ATL | ESPN | Disney+
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Fever respond with a 5-0 run vs Dream
Don't blink with the Fever. The team responded with a quick 5-0 run to make it 58-56.
Dream have lead against Fever at midway point of 3rd quarter
A Te-Hina Paopao 3-ball at the 4:27 mark of the third has ignited State Farm Arena. The triple extended the Dream's lead to 8 as they lead 58-51, and it was also Paopao's first points since July 13.
Te-Hina Paopao for three π£οΈ
β WNBA (@WNBA) August 16, 2026
She increases the Dream's lead to 58-51!
IND-ATL | ESPN | Disney+
Tap to watch: https://t.co/ywDlbeNjjr pic.twitter.com/oW3wLONOfw
Kelsey Mitchell in foul trouble vs Dream
At the 5:53 mark of the third quarter, Mitchell has four fouls. That's not ideal for the Fever. Mitchell is a top scorer for the team and has 18 straight games of scoring 20 points or more.
Kelsey Mitchell heating up vs Dream at State Farm Arena
Kelsey Mitchell drained a big 3-pointer before Caitlin Clark hit a deep 3, forcing an Atlanta timeout. The Dream's lead is gone. Fever lead 49-38 with 7:02 left in the 3rd quarter.
Mitchell is in double digits after only having 5 points in the first half. The Fever guard now has 11.
Kelsey Mitchell connects from the midrange π₯ pic.twitter.com/AOsb71V0DG
β Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) August 16, 2026
Second half underway in Fever vs Dream
The second half action is underway at State Farm. Rhyne Howard opened the scoring with a jumper, adding to Atlanta's total.
Halftime: Dream 44, Fever 40
Atlanta scored 23 in the second quarter, powered by a 13-4 run to take the lead late before halftime. The Dream lead the Fever 44-40 at the break. Allisha Gray continues to put the team on her back, scoring 17 points while no other Dream player has more than seven points.
For Indiana, Caitlin Clark (10 points, five assists) and Makayla Timpson (12 points, five rebounds) seem to have the hot hands right now, exploiting Atlanta's defense in the pick-and-roll game.
Atlanta's defense is keeping it in the game against Indiana. The Fever are shooting 43% to the Dream's 35%.
The footwork is immaculate π
β WNBA (@WNBA) August 16, 2026
AR5 stops on a dime and steps through for 2β£
IND-ATL | ESPN | Disney+
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Angel Reese picks up her 3rd foul for Dream
Something to keep an eye on: Reese picked up her third foul of the game at the 1:31 mark of the second quarter. Reese is also having a tough day offensively. Reese is shooting just 33% from the field with seven points, nine rebounds and three assists.
Fever's lead grows versus Dream
The Fever are wheeling and dealing versus the Dream. They are shooting 51% to 29% for Atlanta. Clark and scorers are especially crushing Atlanta in the pick-and-roll game. They have beaten the Dream repeatedly in the paint with 24 points with just 3:44 remaining in the half. Fever lead 36-31.
what a feed from CC to AB π pic.twitter.com/IEHohezjke
β Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) August 16, 2026
End of First Quarter: Fever 21, Dream 21
The Fever have largely controlled the tempo and pace early, but the Dream have weathered their initial push. Atlanta has not shot well, especially in the paint - the Dream have just six points in the paint vs. the Fever's 14 - but they have managed to stay calm and cool as the quarter went on. Getting to the line certainly helps. The Dream are 6 for 6 on free throws. Allisha Gray leads all scorers with eight points.
Allisha Gray gets Dream going from deep vs Fever
She's so cold with it π§ pic.twitter.com/DFXbaFYwC7
β Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) August 16, 2026
Caitlin Clark hits signature shot vs Dream
Caitlin Clark cashes in the stepback triple π€ pic.twitter.com/BYENbEUyFV
β Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) August 16, 2026
Fever hold early lead vs Dream at State Farm
At the 4:10 mark of the first quarter, the Fever are up 15-13 against the Dream, despite Atlanta's Allisha Gray leading all scorers with eight points. Caitlin Clark has six points for Indiana and two assists.
Fever get on board with nice entry pass vs Dream
Caitlin Clark finds Makayla Timpson for the first points of the game π pic.twitter.com/Xn62kpqFiu
β Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) August 16, 2026
Atlanta using rotation of guards without Jordin Canada
Jaylyn Sherrod started the game in place of Jordin Canada and has already been subbed out. Isobel Borlase came in for Sherrod at the 6:54 mark. Te-Hina Paopao could also see time today as well as she returns from injury.
Fever vs Dream is underway
The Fever won the tip, and we are underway at State Farm Arena.
Dream starters vs Fever
Your Atlanta Dream Starting 5 and Status Report today vs. Indiana π °οΈ pic.twitter.com/098jWJjO4P
β Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) August 16, 2026
Fever starters vs Dream
first five on the floor in Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/Mx0Q74RMZ2
β Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) August 16, 2026
Fever team aware of possible WNBA playoff implications vs Dream
"Yeah, we'll mention it. Look, it's important ... we have to understand the urgency of the moment," Fever head coach Stephanie White said. "There's no substitute for experience. Our young core is still pretty young ... We'll see where we are. We certainly don't shy away from it."
Dream bring great fashion to matchup vs Fever
So fresh and so clean πββοΈ pic.twitter.com/XGI3uO6Fnz
β Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) August 16, 2026
Indiana Fever are dressed for the occasion vs Dream
gameday glow β¨ pic.twitter.com/IpCclDhb4d
β Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) August 16, 2026
Fever Injury Report Update
Caitlin Clark (back) and Aliyah Boston (right lower leg) are both available to play today.
Status Update for today's game against Atlanta:
β Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) August 16, 2026
Aliyah Boston β Available (right lower leg)
Caitlin Clark β Available (back) https://t.co/ktPkiqigqZ
Dream Injury Report update
Jordin Canada (illness) and Te-Hina Paopao (right leg) are both game-time decisions today.
Indiana Fever Injury Report
Caitlin Clark - PROBABLE (Back)
Aliyah Boston - PROBABLE (Right Lower Leg)
Damiris Dantas - NWT (Left Knee)
Atlanta Dream Injury Report
Brionna Jones - OUT (Left Leg)
Jordin Canada - QUESTIONABLE (Illness)
Te-Hina Paopao - QUESTIONABLE (Right Leg)
Indiana Fever roster
Atlanta Dream roster
What TV channel is Indiana Fever vs Atlanta Dream on today?
- TV channel: ESPN
- Streaming options: ESPN App | Disney+
ESPN will broadcast Sunday's WNBA game between the Fever and Dream. Ryan Ruocco (play-by-play) and Rebecca Lobo (analyst) will have the call at State Farm Arena, with Holly Rowe reporting from the sideline.
What time is Indiana Fever vs Atlanta Dream?
- Date: Sunday, Aug. 16
- Time: 5 p.m. ET
- Location: State Farm Arena (Atlanta)
The Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream play at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 16, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fever vs. Dream live updates: Caitlin Clark lifts Indiana to big road win
