The Indiana Fever are officially here to stay in the playoff picture, and they just made a massive statement in their first matchup against the Atlanta Dream. With Caitlin Clark sidelined, many doubted whether Indiana had the firepower to pull off a big postseason win.

But when the lights were brightest, Lexie Hull and Makayla Timpson delivered in spectacular fashion, sending the Dream packing back to Atlanta with a tough loss.

Hull was absolutely sensational, bringing her signature energy on both ends of the floor. Known more as a glue player than a star, she rose to the moment, hitting timely shots, diving for loose balls, and locking down Atlanta’s perimeter threats. Every possession she touched felt like it shifted momentum, and fans inside the building roared with every big play.

Timpson, on the other hand, was the interior enforcer Indiana desperately needed. Her rim protection was game-changing, as she swatted multiple Dream attempts and controlled the boards. Atlanta simply couldn’t find an answer for her inside presence, and she gave the Fever second-chance opportunities all night long. With her combination of strength and hustle, Timpson embodied the grit of playoff basketball.

The Dream entered this game with confidence, expecting to overwhelm Indiana without Clark. But what they didn’t expect was the Fever’s balanced attack. Kelsey Mitchell provided her usual offensive spark, NaLyssa Smith battled inside, and the bench brought the kind of energy that playoff runs are built on. Instead of relying on a single superstar, Indiana showcased team basketball — and it paid off in the biggest way.

Defensively, the Fever were locked in from start to finish. Atlanta’s guards were pressured into difficult shots, turnovers piled up, and the Dream never found their offensive rhythm. Every time Atlanta tried to mount a run, Hull or Timpson would come up with a critical stop, a momentum-shifting bucket, or a thunderous rebound.

By the final buzzer, the Fever had left no doubt: this isn’t just Caitlin Clark’s team. This is a roster full of fighters, role players turned heroes, and rising stars stepping into the spotlight when it matters most. For fans in Indiana, the win was more than just a playoff result — it was proof that the Fever can survive and thrive even without their biggest name.

Now, the series heads back to Atlanta, where the Dream will be desperate to even the score on their home floor. But the pressure has flipped. Indiana has momentum, confidence, and a pair of unlikely heroes in Hull and Timpson who just proved they can swing a playoff series. The Fever are growing up fast — and they’re doing it in the postseason.