The Indiana Fever are headed to the WNBA semifinals, a phrase that until recently seemed more like a distant dream than a tangible reality. In a game that was a chaotic mix of sloppy play and clutch heroics, the Fever fought their way back from a late-game deficit to defeat the Atlanta Dream 87-85. This wasn’t a pretty victory, but it was a testament to the one quality that has defined this team all season long: an indomitable spirit. As one commentator put it, despite their mistakes and blown leads, “this team has a lot of grit, has a lot of determination and they seem to always dig deep.”

The game was a roller coaster from the start, a stark contrast to the earlier defensive struggles of the Fever in other playoff matchups. The Fever’s defense was virtually nonexistent in the first half, allowing the Atlanta Dream to score a staggering 56 points. It was a completely different tempo from their previous game in which they had held Atlanta to just 60 points for the entire contest. With Atlanta getting to the basket at will, the Fever found themselves down 56-49 at halftime.

Holding the team together in the first half was veteran guard Kelsey Mitchell. Mitchell kept the Fever within striking distance with a scorching 19 points in the first two quarters. While her offensive production cooled off significantly in the second half, with only five additional points, her first-half explosion was a lifeline that ensured the game didn’t get out of hand early. Her final tally of 24 points, on a respectable 7-of-16 shooting, proved critical to the final outcome.

However, the real story unfolded in the final minutes. The Fever were down 85-80, seemingly on the brink of elimination, when they ignited an electrifying 7-0 run that flipped the game on its head. This was their first lead since the second quarter, and it couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. The commentator noted that when a team fails to put an opponent away when they have the chance, “it usually comes back and bites them in the backside,” and that’s exactly what happened to the Atlanta Dream.

While the box score might not tell the full story, several players delivered monumental plays in the final stretch. Brianna Turner, despite only playing 18 minutes, secured what might be the single biggest offensive rebound of the Indiana Fever’s season. With the score tied and the clock ticking, Turner crashed the boards, grabbed the rebound, and put it back up for a crucial bucket, tying the game at 80-80 and keeping the Fever’s hopes alive. Her five rebounds in such limited minutes were a testament to her high-impact play.

Lexie Hull also had a significant moment, driving to the basket for a pivotal layup that cut the deficit to a mere two points as the shot clock was winding down. Her determination and drive perfectly encapsulated the team’s fighting spirit. Then, with just 7.4 seconds remaining, Aaliyah Boston delivered the final, decisive blow. She took the feed and scored, giving the Fever their first lead of the second half—the one that truly mattered—86-85. Atlanta would miss their final shot, and the Fever would secure the win with free throws, finishing on a 7-0 run and advancing to the semifinals.

Beyond the box score, the commentator provided a strong and passionate defense of the team’s character. He acknowledged that many fans have “checked out” due to the injuries the team has faced, including the season-ending injury to star Caitlin Clark. However, he emphasized that “this team has had to fight through a lot of adversity,” and he had to “give them props” for securing such a significant win. The victory was a powerful demonstration of why the game is played and why seeds and records on paper don’t always determine the outcome.

The conversation also touched on the ongoing debate about the WNBA’s new playoff format. The commentator pointed out the perceived unfairness of the Atlanta Dream getting to host the elimination game on their home court despite having a better record. He argued that if the league had stuck to a more traditional, merit-based format, the game would have been played in Indiana anyway. This highlights the growing tension between rewarding regular-season performance and maximizing fan engagement in local markets, a debate that has simmered all season long.

Perhaps the most controversial and poignant point of the discussion was the commentator’s frustration with the decision to sideline Caitlin Clark for the playoffs. Despite her season-ending injury, video footage of Clark participating in team shootarounds has fueled speculation that she could be playing. The commentator expressed his belief that “great players play hurt,” and that the decision not to play was a disservice to both Clark and the team. While he made it clear he wasn’t “dissing Caitlin Clark,” he was highly critical of the organization for putting themselves and her in a situation where her presence, even on the bench, raised questions about her eligibility.

In the end, the Fever’s victory was a triumph of the human spirit. It was messy, it was stressful, and it was emotional. But it was also a perfect encapsulation of a team that has faced down adversity all season and refused to quit. From the veteran leadership of Kelsey Mitchell to the quiet heroics of Brianna Turner and the clutch plays from Lexie Hull and Aaliyah Boston, the Fever proved that they are more than the sum of their parts. They are a true team, and their historic comeback is a story that will be told for a long time to come.