Indiana Fever’s Offensive Struggles Continue in Disjointed Showing as Atlanta Dream Hand Them Another Blowout Loss on Tuesday Night

For the Indiana Fever, Tuesday night’s game in Atlanta served as another frustrating chapter in a season filled with offensive struggles and missed opportunities. A 19-point loss to the Atlanta Dream, punctuated by disjointed play on the offensive end and a glaring lack of chemistry, left fans and analysts once again questioning the direction of a young team still trying to find its footing.

From the opening tip, it was clear that Indiana would be in for a battle—not only against a motivated Dream squad, but against its own limitations. The Fever managed just 36 points by halftime, and the final tally—an 88-69 defeat—reflected the growing pains that have become all too familiar in 2024 and now into 2025. Talented pieces are in place, but the execution, cohesion, and consistency needed to compete in the WNBA’s competitive landscape remain elusive.

It’s easy to point to the numbers. The Fever shot a dismal 38% from the field and committed 17 turnovers, many of them unforced and untimely. But the real issue lies beneath the stat sheet—there is a lack of rhythm, a disconnect in the halfcourt offense that continues to plague Indiana game after game. Whether it’s poor spacing, indecisive ball movement, or simply players not being on the same page, the offense looks stuck in neutral far too often.

Tuesday’s matchup was supposed to be a chance for Indiana to right the ship. They were coming off a stretch of competitive performances and entered the night with a renewed focus on getting the ball inside and playing through their bigs. But early foul trouble, missed assignments, and ineffective offensive sets quickly put them behind. And once Atlanta’s guards started heating up, there was little the Fever could do to keep pace.

The Dream, meanwhile, played with energy and purpose. Their ball movement was crisp, their rotations sharp, and they exploited nearly every mismatch the Fever offered. It was a textbook performance from a team that is beginning to find its stride, while Indiana continues to search for answers.

Aliyah Boston, the 2023 No. 1 overall pick and centerpiece of the Fever’s rebuilding plan, had another uneven performance. Though her effort is never in question, she struggled to find clean touches in the paint and was often double-teamed with little relief from perimeter shooters. Boston finished with 11 points and 6 rebounds, but much of her production came in the third quarter after Atlanta had built a comfortable lead.

Kelsey Mitchell, one of Indiana’s most experienced guards, tried to shoulder the scoring load but ran into trouble against Atlanta’s swarming defense. Her shot selection was questionable at times, a reflection of the team’s broader offensive woes. Mitchell ended with 13 points on 5-of-15 shooting, including a 1-of-6 mark from deep.

The Fever’s guard play, in general, was inconsistent. Rookie Caitlin Clark, drafted with high expectations earlier this year, is still adjusting to the pace and physicality of the professional game. While her playmaking instincts are evident, Clark finished with 9 points, 5 assists, and 4 turnovers. Her passes sometimes dazzled, but just as often missed their mark due to poor timing or miscommunication. She’s still learning when to push the tempo and when to slow things down—an essential skill at the pro level.

Perhaps the most alarming aspect of Indiana’s loss was the complete breakdown in offensive execution during key stretches. In the second quarter, with the Fever trailing by single digits, they went nearly four minutes without a field goal. During that span, the Dream went on a 12-2 run that effectively broke the game open. Similar cold stretches have doomed the Fever in recent losses, and Tuesday night was no different.

Defensively, the effort was there in spurts. NaLyssa Smith provided a few sparks with her hustle plays and rebounding, and Erica Wheeler fought hard to contain Atlanta’s perimeter attack. But for every good defensive possession, there were two breakdowns—late closeouts, missed switches, or careless fouls that gave the Dream extra chances. Atlanta capitalized, shooting nearly 47% from the floor and racking up 23 assists on 33 made baskets.

Indiana head coach Christie Sides was visibly frustrated throughout the game. From missed defensive rotations to poor shot choices, the Fever looked out of sync for much of the night. Postgame, Sides was candid in her assessment.

“We have to take a hard look at ourselves,” she said. “This isn’t about talent. It’s about execution and effort. We’re not doing the little things that win basketball games.”

Sides emphasized the need for better communication on both ends of the floor. “There are too many possessions where it’s quiet. No one’s calling out screens, no one’s directing traffic. That can’t happen in this league.”

It’s worth remembering that Indiana is still one of the youngest teams in the WNBA. With Boston, Clark, Smith, and Grace Berger all playing significant minutes, growing pains are expected. But expectations were raised significantly this season, particularly after the Fever selected Clark No. 1 overall in April. The hope was that her dynamic scoring and playmaking could elevate the team immediately, but it’s becoming clear that the adjustment period will take time.

Offensively, the Fever are still figuring out how to best utilize their pieces. Too often, Boston is left isolated in the post with no movement around her. Clark is asked to create off the dribble without consistent screening. The spacing is tight, the ball movement stagnant. There’s no easy way to describe it other than “disjointed”—a word that has come to define this team’s offensive identity through the first month of the season.

There is also a question of leadership. The Fever have veterans, but the emotional tone of the team seems to swing wildly from quarter to quarter. One game they look energized and hungry, the next they appear overwhelmed and unsure. That inconsistency in focus is perhaps the biggest hurdle in Indiana’s path forward.

Tuesday’s loss dropped the Fever to 3-9 on the season, a mark that doesn’t fully capture the frustration building around the franchise. After years of rebuilding, the expectation wasn’t necessarily playoffs in 2025—but it was progress. Tangible growth. And right now, it’s hard to see it. They’ve lost by double digits in seven of their nine defeats, and in most of those games, they trailed by 15 or more before the fourth quarter began.

Still, there are reasons for cautious optimism. Boston is a foundational player with All-Star potential. Clark, once she adjusts, has the tools to become one of the league’s premier guards. NaLyssa Smith and Lexie Hull have shown flashes. But until the Fever figure out how to generate quality looks on a consistent basis—and until they start playing with the urgency and connectivity that elite teams display—they will remain in developmental limbo.

Their next opportunity to course-correct comes Friday night, back home against the Washington Mystics, another team trying to find its identity. It’s a chance for Indiana to start building something more sustainable. To stop relying on individual brilliance and start trusting in a collective identity.

If not, nights like Tuesday in Atlanta will only become more common—and more discouraging for a fanbase that’s been waiting far too long for a turnaround. The pieces may be there, but until they’re working in harmony, the puzzle remains incomplete.