The Atlanta Dream lost to the Indiana Fever in overtime on Sunday, 95-91. Despite Allisha Gray exploding for 32 points, Atlanta couldn't find a way to slow down Indiana's balanced offense.
No other player scored more than 20 points for the Dream. The Fever, meanwhile, had three players score at least 20. Caitlin Clark led the way with 26 points and nine assists, while Kelsey Mitchell and Makayla Timpson recorded 20 points each.
However, it's worth noting that the Dream had a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter. With six seconds left and the game tied at 81-81, Rhyne Howard attempted a 3-point shot but missed.
Angel Reese got the offensive board and quickly attempted a shot near the rim. Unfortunately, she missed the putback layup. While Naz Hillmon was able to recover the ball and take a shot as well, she also missed.
Colin Hubbard-Imagn Images
After the game, Dream coach Karl Smesko was asked what his message to Reese was after her frustrating miss in crunch time.
The Atlanta tactician played it down and emphasized that Reese and Hillmon fulfilled their roles and did what was asked of them. At the end of the day, it was just unlucky that the ball didn't go in.
"We just had to move on to the next play," Smesko said, per Wilton C. Jackson II of The IX Sports. "There was supposed to be one screen in there and kind of forgot the screen, but then Rhyne [Howard] took the shot, and we told those two [Reese and Hillmon] to really crash the boards to give us a second chance. They both did exactly what we asked for them, and then we got two looks right at the end of the game that could have won it for us but you know they rolled out."
The Dream dropped to 21-13 on the season with the loss, giving the Fever the lead for the fourth spot in the WNBA standings. The two teams also split their season series 2-2.
Atlanta will return to action against the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday. Sure enough, hopes are high that the team will be able to bounce back amid its bid to compete for a top-four spot in the standings.
