Game recap: Indiana Fever beat Atlanta Dream in Caitlin Clark's home exhibition debut

The Indiana Fever is still in preseason mode, but fans are ready to see Caitlin Clark make her debut at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as a WNBA player.

Indiana lost its opening exhibition game to the Dallas Wings on May 3, 79-76. Clark led the way with 21 points.

Tonight, the Fever play the Atlanta Dream in the final preseason game. Indiana is favored by 1.5 points, according to BetMGM.

Chloe Peterson will have analysis throughout, and we will have scoring updates, highlights and more. Please remember to refresh.

Final: Indiana Fever hold off Atlanta Dream in Caitlin Clark's debut at home

The Fever got a defensive stop late when the Dream tried to tie it with a 3-pointer. NaLyssa Smith led the way for Indiana with 21 points and 6 rebounds. Caitlin Clark finished with 12 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Aliyah Boston and Katie Lou Samuelson finished with 11 points each.

Katie Lou Samuelson made both free throw attempts at 2:41 to give the Fever an 81-76 lead. Atlanta cut the lead to 3 with 43.1 seconds left when Laeticia Amihere made a layup.

At the 4:40 mark, Grace Berger hit a jumper to give Indiana a 9-point lead. Laeticia Amihere made a layup at 3:50 to cut the lead back to 7.

Aliyah Boston opened the fourth with back-to-back baskets. Aerial Powers made both free throws for the Dream, but that was answered by a Kristy Wallace jumper. Crystal Dangerfield made a layup for Atlanta at 6:52, which cut the lead to 76-70.

End of 3Q: Indiana Fever maintain the lead going into fourth quarter

NaLyssa Smith is up to 19 points for the Fever. Caitlin Clark has 12 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.

1:46 left 3Q: Caitlin Clark heats up against the Dream

Indiana's lead increased after Caitlin Clark drilled a 3-pointer at the 2:17 mark. Clark has 12 points.

The Fever took a 50-49 lead at the 9:31 mark after NaLyssa Smith's basket (the assist came from Caitlin Clark). Atlanta went on to score six consecutive points. Katie Lou Samuelson hit a 3 for Indiana at 7:54 to cut Atlanta's lead to 55-53.

While Rhyne Howard hit a 3 at 7:37, Smith answered with a 3-pointer of her own at 7:07. At the 5:09 mark, Caitlin Clark made a free throw. Samuelson hit another 3 at 4:57 to give the Fever a 62-60 lead.

Halftime: Indiana Fever cut into Atlanta Dream lead going into half

NaLyssa Smith leads the Fever with 14 points. Caitlin Clark has 8 points and is 1 for 5 from the 3-point line. The Dream went cold later in the second quarter. They are at 45% from the floor while Indiana is at 46%.

Indiana is shooting 48% from the floor. Atlanta is still shooting very well at 63%. Caitlin Clark is still at 5 points.

End of 1Q: Atlanta Dream leads by 6 while Caitlin Clark sits at 5 points

Rhyne Howard made a jumper at 4:43 to give Atlanta a 20-8 lead. Indiana's Kristy Wallace responded with a pair of free throws. NaLyssa Smith hit a jumper at 3:32 but Atlanta's Aerial Powers made a 3-pointer at 3:12.

Temi Fagbenle made a layup for the Fever to cut the Dream's lead to 23-14. Powers went to the free-throw line and made both. Caitlin Clark responded with a layup and was fouled on the play. She made the layup to cut the lead to 25-17.

A little later on, Smith converted two free throw attempts for the Fever to make it 27-20 in favor of Atlanta. Katie Lou Samuelson made the second of two free throw attempts at 1:33. The lead is down to 6.

With 3.2 left in the quarter, Lexie Hull made a 3. Clark has 2 fouls.

The Dream opened with a 18-8 lead. During that span, Caitlin Clark had 2 points. Rhyne Howard has 3 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals and an assist for the Dream. Clark's teammate, Aliyah Boston, scored 4 points.

This game features the last three No. 1 overall picks in the WNBA Draft (Clark in 2024, Boston in 2023 and Howard in 2022). Indiana is shooting 36% from the floor while Atlanta is at 78%.

Kelsey Mitchell (left ankle), who missed the first exhibition game against Dallas, went through dynamic warmups. However, she did not wear a practice jersey at the time.

Erica Wheeler is also out tonight with an illness.

When does the Indiana Fever, Caitlin Clark play tonight?

7 p.m. ET Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

What channel is the Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream game on?

This game is available through WNBA League Pass. More information is available here.

Tickets for Fever games are available here.

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