Indiana Fever defeat Atlanta Dream 83-71 in Commissioner’s Cup opener

Indiana Fever Atlanta Dream Commissioner’s Cup Kelsey Mitchell Caitlin Clark

The Indiana Fever snapped a two‑game losing streak with an 83‑71 victory over the Atlanta Dream in the opening game of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup. The win moved Indiana to a 5‑4 record and marked the start of their title‑defense after winning the Cup last season.

Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 25 points, joining the league’s 5,000‑point club and shooting 11‑of‑15. Caitlin Clark added 17 points, eight assists and seven rebounds despite feeling ill at halftime. Aliyah Boston contributed 19 points and seven rebounds, while Sophie Cunningham and Myisha Hines‑Allen added key bench scoring. Indiana’s defense limited Atlanta to 34% shooting, the lowest allowed by the Fever this season.

The victory came after a team meeting addressing a sideline dispute between Clark and coach Stephanie White from the previous loss to the Portland Fire. Analysts noted the win could prompt a lineup adjustment, suggesting Myisha Hines‑Allen replace Monique Billings in the starting frontcourt to sustain the defensive improvement.

The game also continued the Commissioner’s Cup format, where the tournament offers a $500,000 prize pool, with the winning team receiving $30,000 per player and an MVP bonus.