Atlanta Dream makes second straight playoff appearance, signs of maturing team
By Milton Kirby | College Park, GA | September 19, 2025
College Park was rocking Thursday night, Gateway Center Arena alive with music, dance cams, and hope. The Atlanta Dream faithful came in expecting a fight, and they got one — right down to the last shot.
The scoreboard, though, told the tougher story. The Indiana Fever, a team that never stopped believing, closed on a 7-0 run in the final two minutes and stunned Atlanta, 87-85, in Game 3 of their opening-round playoff series.
Aliyah Boston slipped free under the rim for the go-ahead bucket with just 7.4 seconds to play. Then Lexie Hull poked away an inbounds pass, and when Brionna Jones’ last-second three sailed off target, the Fever swarmed each other in celebration.
The loss ends Atlanta’s season, and it stings — no doubt about it. But it also marks the second straight year the Dream reached the postseason, a sign that progress is real and sustainable under first-year head coach Carl Smesko.
A Gut-Punch Finish
For three quarters, Atlanta looked every bit the higher seed. The Dream pushed tempo, attacked the paint, and leaned on their stars. They piled up 56 first-half points, more than their total from Game 2’s loss.
Allisha Gray played with fire, notching her first playoff double-double with 19 points and 12 boards. Jordin Canada ran the offense with pace, dishing 10 assists to go with 18 points. Rhyne Howard had 16, Brionna Jones 12.
When Jones scored inside to give Atlanta an 85-80 cushion with just over two minutes left, the Gateway crowd was on its feet. It felt like the Dream were headed to the semifinal round for the first time since 2016.
But basketball has a way of flipping quick. Indiana’s Shey Peddy drained a three. Brianna Turner muscled in a putback. Then Odyssey Sims found Boston open after a scramble, and just like that, the Fever had the lead.
Atlanta still had a chance, but the late turnovers and hurried final shot sealed the outcome.
Fever Find a Way
To their credit, Indiana never quit. Even without injured star Caitlin Clark, the Fever leaned on balance and grit.
Kelsey Mitchell, who Atlanta keyed on defensively all series, still poured in 24 points. Boston had 14 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. Sims added 16 and Natasha Howard 12. Every Fever starter hit double figures.
Mitchell summed up the night plainly: “I said before the game started, it was gonna be a gut-check type of game. I think you just have to dig deep.”
Head coach Stephanie White praised her group’s resilience: “This group has been through every situation imaginable. Their selflessness, toughness, and grit give us a chance every single night. I love riding with these guys.”
The Fever hadn’t won a playoff series since 2015. Their bench mob danced, their fans cheered, and social media lit up. They’ll take this momentum into a semifinal clash with defending champion Las Vegas.
Dream’s Year of Building
For the Dream, the loss is bitter, but it doesn’t erase the steps forward this team has made.
Last year, Atlanta’s playoff return ended quickly. This year, under a new coach and with a deeper roster, they climbed into the No. 3 seed, pushed their win total higher, and played two elimination games at home before the season’s final whistle.
The franchise has not been this consistently competitive in nearly a decade. The players feel it, the fans sense it, and ownership sees the vision starting to take shape.
From our view, the takeaway is simple: this team has the bones of a contender. The experience of this playoff heartbreak will become the fuel for future runs.
Highlights and Hard Lessons
Atlanta’s high points were clear:
- Allisha Gray’s first playoff double-double, a showcase of effort and toughness.
- Canada’s control of the tempo, keeping the Dream organized and aggressive.
- Howard’s versatility, even under constant defensive pressure.
- The team’s ability to score inside early, with 40 first-half paint points.
But so were the lessons:
- The Dream went cold in the fourth quarter, managing just 12 points.
- Indiana outscored Atlanta 26-12 in the final period.
- Costly turnovers in the final minute tilted the game.
In our view, this was less about collapse and more about learning the weight of postseason basketball — every possession magnified, every mistake costly.
Fans Showed Out
Even in defeat, Gateway Center Arena showed why College Park has become one of the WNBA’s loudest homes. From kids waving foam fingers to longtime season-ticket holders dancing in the aisles, the energy rarely dipped.
As the final buzzer sounded, there were groans, sighs, and a few tears. But there was also applause. Applause for a season that delivered 23 wins, for a roster that battled through injuries, and for a franchise that has its eyes set higher.
Looking Ahead
The Fever march on to face the Aces. The Dream will head into the offseason knowing they aren’t far away.
Atlanta has talent — Gray, Howard, Canada, Jones — and leadership in Smesko. What they need now is seasoning. A year of playoff heartbreak can turn into fuel.
And here’s our read: this is not the end of the story. Atlanta hasn’t won a playoff series since 2016, but the drought feels closer to ending than ever.
Please consider supporting open, independent journalism – no contribution is too small!