The Indiana Fever is still in preseason mode, but fans are ready to see Caitlin Clark make her debut at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as a WNBA player.
Indiana lost its opening exhibition game to the Dallas Wings on May 3, 79-76. Clark led the way with 21 points.
Tonight, the Fever play the Atlanta Dream in the final preseason game. Indiana is favored by 1.5 points, according to BetMGM.
Chloe Peterson will have analysis throughout, and we will have scoring updates, highlights and more. Please remember to refresh.
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Final: Indiana Fever hold off Atlanta Dream in Caitlin Clark’s debut at home
The Fever got a defensive stop late when the Dream tried to tie it with a 3-pointer. NaLyssa Smith led the way for Indiana with 21 points and 6 rebounds. Caitlin Clark finished with 12 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Aliyah Boston and Katie Lou Samuelson finished with 11 points each.
Fever 83, Dream 80
19.1 left 4Q: Atlanta Dream cut into Indiana Fever lead late
Katie Lou Samuelson made both free throw attempts at 2:41 to give the Fever an 81-76 lead. Atlanta cut the lead to 3 with 43.1 seconds left when Laeticia Amihere made a layup.
Fever 83, Dream 80
3:47 left 4Q: Indiana Fever lead Atlanta Dream late
At the 4:40 mark, Grace Berger hit a jumper to give Indiana a 9-point lead. Laeticia Amihere made a layup at 3:50 to cut the lead back to 7.
Fever 79, Dream 72
5:41 left 4Q: Indiana Fever hold 7-point lead over Atlanta Dream
Aliyah Boston opened the fourth with back-to-back baskets. Aerial Powers made both free throws for the Dream, but that was answered by a Kristy Wallace jumper. Crystal Dangerfield made a layup for Atlanta at 6:52, which cut the lead to 76-70.
Fever 77, Dream 70
End of 3Q: Indiana Fever maintain the lead going into fourth quarter
NaLyssa Smith is up to 19 points for the Fever. Caitlin Clark has 12 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.
Fever 70, Dream 66
1:46 left 3Q: Caitlin Clark heats up against the Dream
Indiana’s lead increased after Caitlin Clark drilled a 3-pointer at the 2:17 mark. Clark has 12 points.
Fever 68, Dream 60
4:34 left 3Q: Indiana Fever make comeback against Atlanta Dream
The Fever took a 50-49 lead at the 9:31 mark after NaLyssa Smith’s basket (the assist came from Caitlin Clark). Atlanta went on to score six consecutive points. Katie Lou Samuelson hit a 3 for Indiana at 7:54 to cut Atlanta’s lead to 55-53.
While Rhyne Howard hit a 3 at 7:37, Smith answered with a 3-pointer of her own at 7:07. At the 5:09 mark, Caitlin Clark made a free throw. Samuelson hit another 3 at 4:57 to give the Fever a 62-60 lead.
Fever 62, Dream 60
Halftime: Indiana Fever cut into Atlanta Dream lead going into half
NaLyssa Smith leads the Fever with 14 points. Caitlin Clark has 8 points and is 1 for 5 from the 3-point line. The Dream went cold later in the second quarter. They are at 45% from the floor while Indiana is at 46%.
Dream 49, Fever 46
5:14 left 2Q: Indiana Fever trail Atlanta Dream by 10
Indiana is shooting 48% from the floor. Atlanta is still shooting very well at 63%. Caitlin Clark is still at 5 points.
Dream 45, Fever 35
End of 1Q: Atlanta Dream leads by 6 while Caitlin Clark sits at 5 points
Rhyne Howard made a jumper at 4:43 to give Atlanta a 20-8 lead. Indiana’s Kristy Wallace responded with a pair of free throws. NaLyssa Smith hit a jumper at 3:32 but Atlanta’s Aerial Powers made a 3-pointer at 3:12.
Temi Fagbenle made a layup for the Fever to cut the Dream’s lead to 23-14. Powers went to the free-throw line and made both. Caitlin Clark responded with a layup and was fouled on the play. She made the layup to cut the lead to 25-17.
A little later on, Smith converted two free throw attempts for the Fever to make it 27-20 in favor of Atlanta. Katie Lou Samuelson made the second of two free throw attempts at 1:33. The lead is down to 6.
With 3.2 left in the quarter, Lexie Hull made a 3. Clark has 2 fouls.
Dream 30, Fever 24
4:55 left 1Q: Atlanta Dream lead Indiana Fever early on
The Dream opened with a 18-8 lead. During that span, Caitlin Clark had 2 points. Rhyne Howard has 3 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals and an assist for the Dream. Clark’s teammate, Aliyah Boston, scored 4 points.
This game features the last three No. 1 overall picks in the WNBA Draft (Clark in 2024, Boston in 2023 and Howard in 2022). Indiana is shooting 36% from the floor while Atlanta is at 78%.
Dream 18, Fever 8
Erica Wheeler, Kelsey Mitchell out for Indiana Fever
Kelsey Mitchell (left ankle), who missed the first exhibition game against Dallas, went through dynamic warmups. However, she did not wear a practice jersey at the time.
Erica Wheeler is also out tonight with an illness.
When does the Indiana Fever, Caitlin Clark play tonight?
7 p.m. ET Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
What channel is the Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream game on?
This game is available through WNBA League Pass. More information is available here.
Tickets to see Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
Tickets for Fever games are available here.
Indiana Fever, Caitlin Clark news
‘It changes everything’:Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever react to WNBA move to charter flights
Future stars:How Caitlin Clark is inspiring Indiana’s next generation of girls basketball stars
League changes:WNBA plans to provide full-time charter flights for Indiana Fever, league teams this season
What to know:How and when to watch Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and the Indiana Fever
‘A different glimpse for fans’:What to expect from Caitlin Clark ESPN+ docuseries.
