The Dream's Formula Still Works. Indiana Learned That Twice.

ATLANTA —On Thursday, the Atlanta Dream showed they could beat the Indiana Fever. On Saturday, they showed it was not a fluke.

The Dream followed up their road win in Indianapolis with a 113-96 victory over the Fever at State Farm Arena, improving to 11-4 on the season and strengthening the argument that Atlanta belongs among the WNBA's contenders.

After losing the first meeting between the teams earlier this season, Atlanta responded by beating Indiana twice in three days. The wins themselves were impressive. The way the Dream earned them may have been even more important.

If Atlanta was going to make a statement, it first had to survive Indiana's opening punch.

The Fever came out firing, scoring 37 first-quarter points behind Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell. Yet despite Indiana's hot start, the Dream never allowed the game to get away from them. Naz Hillmon made sure of that.

Hillmon scored Atlanta's first nine points of the afternoon and finished the opening quarter with 13 points. Her early production helped keep the Dream within striking distance while Indiana controlled much of the first half. By halftime, the Fever held a 59-56 lead, but Atlanta had quietly positioned itself to make a run.

The Dream were winning the possession battle.

They consistently created extra opportunities on the offensive glass and continued to generate quality looks through ball movement and player movement. Even while trailing, there was little sense of panic.

That confidence paid off after halftime.

Atlanta completely changed the game in the third quarter. The Dream increased their defensive intensity, sped up the pace, and forced Indiana into mistakes. The Fever scored 59 points in the first half but managed only 37 after the break. Atlanta outscored Indiana 28-15 in the third quarter and never surrendered control.

One of the game's pivotal moments came when Karl Smesko successfully challenged a foul call that would have been Hillmon's fourth. The challenge allowed Hillmon to stay aggressive and remain on the floor during Atlanta's decisive run.

Jordin Canada helped finish the job.

ATLANTA, GA - Jordin Canada brings the ball down court against the Indiana Fever, at State Farm Arena. Photo via Atlanta Dream.

Canada scored Atlanta's final four points of the third quarter and recorded a steal to help push the Dream's lead to double digits entering the fourth. The veteran point guard controlled the tempo throughout the afternoon, finishing with 12 points, 12 assists, seven rebounds, and three steals without committing a turnover.

The Dream's starting five continued to prove why it has become one of the league's most effective units.

The lineup of Canada, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Hillmon, and Angel Reese improved to 11-3 together this season. For the second consecutive game, all five starters scored in double figures, marking the first time in franchise history that a Dream starting lineup has accomplished that feat in back-to-back games.

Howard led Atlanta with 24 points, Gray added 22, Hillmon scored a season-high 19, Reese finished with 18 points and eight rebounds, and Canada recorded her double-double.

The afternoon also included another milestone for Reese.

With her sixth rebound of the game, Reese became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 1,000 career rebounds, accomplishing the feat in just 79 games. The two-time All-Star reached the mark 10 games faster than the previous record holder, adding another accomplishment to a season that has already established her as one of the league's elite rebounders.

Atlanta's offensive performance was historic as well.

The Dream finished with a franchise-record 113 points, their third consecutive game scoring at least 100 points. Atlanta shot 50 percent from the field, scored 54 points in the paint, and forced 19 Indiana turnovers.

The Final Cut

The numbers matter, but the larger takeaway may be even more important. Beating Indiana on Thursday was impressive; Beating them again on Saturday was a statement. The Fever entered the season with championship expectations. Over the last three days, Atlanta looked like the team that belonged in that conversation.

Anyone can win a game. Atlanta is starting to look like a team built to win a season.