The Indiana Fever are determined to keep their playoff hopes alive as they prepare to face the Atlanta Dream once more, this time on home court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Although Indiana dropped Game 1 in College Park with an 80-68 defeat, guard Kelsey Mitchell believes that the return to Indianapolis will provide the team with a much-needed spark. For Mitchell, the setting itself represents both an opportunity and a reminder of how far the team has come.
“I think it gives ourselves a chance to stay in the hunt of things. We’re really trying to figure out a way to come back to Atlanta for Game 3. We would like to play again, so we’re gonna have to take the necessary steps to be at our best,” Mitchell told Chloe Peterson of the Indianapolis Star. She added that being back in front of Fever fans should deliver a sense of calm and motivation. “I would like to think that being back at home can kind of give us a sense of comfort, so hopefully we could use it for what it’s worth and not take it for granted.”
Her words carry weight. Mitchell was a force in the opener, finishing with a game-high 27 points on 9-of-18 shooting. Beyond her, only Odyssey Sims managed to crack double figures with 10 points. It was a night where the Fever struggled with efficiency, shooting just 34.9 percent from the field and connecting on only two of fifteen attempts from beyond the arc.
This Game 2 carries extra meaning for the franchise. It marks the Fever’s first postseason home appearance since 2016. The revised playoff format, which now allows alternating venues instead of keeping both opening games in one location, gave Indiana the chance to welcome fans back into the heart of playoff action.
Teammate Lexie Hull echoed Mitchell’s optimism, highlighting the atmosphere she expects on Tuesday night. “Gainbridge is loud and crazy and electric. To be able to host a game there and be able to bring this to them, and have a really fun one is huge. I think we’re really excited about it,” Hull said.
The Fever have history with Atlanta this season, splitting their four regular season matchups. With their season now hanging in the balance and star rookie Caitlin Clark still sidelined, Indiana will lean heavily on Mitchell’s leadership and the home crowd’s energy.
For the Fever, Tuesday is about more than just survival. It is about proving that their return to the playoffs is no fluke, and about seizing the moment to force a decisive Game 3 back in Atlanta.
