PHOTOS: Dream eliminated by Fever in WNBA Playoffs

Sports

PHOTOS: Dream eliminated by Fever in WNBA Playoffs

The Atlanta Dream's season came to a shocking end on Thursday, as the Indiana Fever upset the Dream in the deciding Game 3 of their first-round series.

Atlanta Dream players gather on the center court after losing 87-85 in the first-round playoff game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Dream players react after losing 87-85 in the first-round playoff game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Dream players and the head coach, Karl Smesko, are in disbelief as the team lets the game slip away in the last seconds against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Dream lost 87-85. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Indiana Fever players celebrate after defeating the Atlanta Dream 87-85 to advance to the next round at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Dream lost 87-85. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) attacks the basket during the first half of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada (3) goes up for a basket during the first half of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) reacts after a three-pointer during the second half of a WNBA playoff first-round game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Indiana Fever players celebrate after defeating the Atlanta Dream 87-85 to advance to the next round at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Dream lost 87-85. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko argues a call dsh
during the second half of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Dream lost 87-85.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (15) reacts after she gets subbed out during the second half of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Indiana Fever players celebrate after defeating the Atlanta Dream 87-85 to advance to the next round at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark reacts as she leaves the court after her team advances to the next round by defeating the Atlanta Dream 87-85 at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko reacts as the team lets the game slip away in the last seconds against Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Dream lost 87-85. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (15) reacts after a three pointer during the second half of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko looks at the court as the team lets the game slip away in the last seconds against Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Dream lost 87-85. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko, left, reacts to a call during the second half of Game 3 against the Indiana Fever in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko, center left, reacts after a call during the second half of Game 3 against the Indiana Fever in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard, right, looks to shoot as Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull, left, defends during the second half of Game 3 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada (3) drives to the basket around Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) during the second half of Game 3 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada, bottom, is fouled by Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull, top, as she goes to the basket during the second half of Game 3 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada (3) is fouled by Indiana Fever forward Natasha Howard (6) as she looks to shoot during the second half of Game 3 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (15) goes up to shoot against the Indiana Fever during the second half of Game 3 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Atlanta Dream forward Naz Hillman (00) looks to shoo as Indiana Fever forward Natasha Howard, left, defends during the second half of Game 3 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada, front right, is fouled by Indiana Fever forward Brianna Turner, left, as she shoots during the second half of Game 3 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (15) looks to shoot as Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull, left, defends during the second half of Game 3 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Indiana Fever guard Odyssey Sims reacts after her team took the lead over the Atlanta Dream during the second half of Game 3 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Indiana Fever guard Odyssey Sims, front right, and Atlanta Dream forward Naz Hillman, left, battle for a rebound during the second half of Game 3 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Indiana Fever guard Shey Peddy (5), guard Lexie Hull, center left, and head coach Stephanie White, center right, celebrate after a score to take the lead over the Atlanta Dream during the second half of Game 3 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, right, celebrates with forward Natasha Howard, left, after their team defeated the Atlanta Dream in Game 3 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Indiana Fever forward Natasha Howard (6) reacts after her team defeated the Atlanta Dream in Game 3 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) and Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (15) reach for a loose ball during the first half of Game 3 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Indiana Fever forward Natasha Howard (6) reacts after her team defeated the Atlanta Dream in Game 3 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, right, celebrates with forward Natasha Howard, left, after their team defeated the Atlanta Dream in Game 3 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada, center, lays in a basket against the Indiana Fever during the second half of Game 3 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White reacts to a call during the first half of Game 3 against the Atlanta Dream in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Indiana Fever guard Odyssey Sims (1) drives to the basket around Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (15) during the first half of Game 3 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, center, reacts after a score to take the lead over the Atlanta Dream during the second half of Game 3 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) dribbles against Indiana Fever guard Odyssey Sims (1) during the first half of a WNBA first-round playoff game at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Dream forward Brionna Jones (24) reacts after a basket during the first half of a WNBA first-round playoff game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Dream forward Brionna Jones (24) goes up for a basket during the first half of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Dream forward Brionna Jones (24) reacts after a basket during the first half of a WNBA first-round playoff game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner (42) goes up for a basket during the first half of a WNBA first-round playoff game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Dream forward Brionna Jones (24) drbbles against Indiana Fever forward Natasha Howard (6) during the first half of a WNBA first-round playoff game at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada (3) attacks the basket during the first half of a WNBA first-round playoff game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (15) dribbles against Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) during the first half of a WNBA first-round playoff game at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Dream players react during the first half of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Dream players gather moments before the WNBA basketball first-round playoff game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanat Dream fans cheer at the end of the first half of a WNBA first-round playoff game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanat Dream fans rectas after a three pointer during the first half of a WNBA first-round playoff game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanat Dream fans rectas after a basket during the first half of a WNBA first-round playoff game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada (3) goes up for a basket during the first half of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner (42) reacts after a basket during the first half of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

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Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Atlanta Dream players gather on the center court after losing 87-85 in the first-round playoff game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

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