The Indiana Fever stunned the basketball world by advancing to the WNBA 2025 semifinals with an 87-85 upset over the No. 3 seed Atlanta Dream in Thursday’s decisive Game 3.

Against all odds, and without several key contributors including Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham, Indiana delivered one of the most shocking postseason results in recent memory.

At the center of it all is Caitlin Clark versus A’ja Wilson, two generational talents whose contrasting styles embody their teams’ identities. Clark, the fearless sharpshooter, stretches defenses to their breaking point with her unlimited range and quick release. Wilson, the powerhouse forward, dominates inside with her scoring, rebounding, and defensive presence. Their duel represents the ultimate basketball contrast: finesse versus force, youth versus experience, challenger versus champion. It is a storyline that transcends the court, capturing the imagination of fans everywhere.

But this rivalry goes deeper than star power. It is about cultures colliding. The Fever are scrappy, hungry, and driven by a sense of urgency to prove themselves. They thrive on being underestimated and play with a chip on their shoulder. The Aces, by contrast, exude the confidence of champions. They have been to the mountaintop, and they play with the poise of a team that knows how to win under pressure. These clashing mindsets create a combustible atmosphere, where neither side is willing to back down.

The league itself has taken notice of the frenzy. Television ratings are soaring, ticket sales are off the charts, and social media is flooded with debates about who will come out on top. Analysts are calling it the biggest rivalry the WNBA has ever seen, not just because of the talent on display, but because of what it represents: a battle for the soul of the league’s future. The Fever–Aces showdown is not just about crowning a playoff victor—it is about shaping the narrative of women’s basketball for years to come.

Aliyah Boston sealed the victory with a layup in the final seconds, finishing with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. Her basket came after Odyssey Sims found her wide open under the rim, capping a rally from an 85-80 deficit with just over two minutes left.

Kelsey Mitchell led all scorers with 24 points, hitting three shots from deep, while Sims added 16 points and eight assists after joining the team midseason on a hardship contract.

The Fever’s defense closed the door, with Lexie Hull stealing a botched inbound from Rhyne Howard to preserve the lead. On the other side, Allisha Gray had 19 points and 12 rebounds for Atlanta, Jordin Canada added 18 points and 10 assists, and Howard finished with 16. Despite leading by as many as eight and holding a halftime advantage, the Dream could not protect their cushion.

Sophie Cunningham Delivers Fiery Reaction After Upset

Sidelined since August with a torn MCL, Sophie Cunningham shared her perspective the next day on the Show Me Something podcast.

“The league is so mad that we won, because we are literally not supposed to be here at all,” Cunningham said. “And that just fuels our fire even more.”

Her absence has been a blow to the Indiana Fever, as she averaged 8.6 points this season while shooting over 43% from beyond the arc. Cunningham’s role had expanded during Caitlin Clark’s injury spells, but neither player was available for the postseason.

The Indiana Fever also lost Sydney Colson, Chloe Bibby, and Aari McDonald to season-ending injuries, forcing them to rely on hardship signings. Despite that, they prevailed against an Atlanta squad that had finished the regular season 30-14 under first-year head coach Karl Smesko, bolstered by new additions like Brittney Griner and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough.

The Dream entered the series favored to advance, with many predicting even a sweep. Instead, it was Indiana celebrating, marking another step forward after last year’s playoff exit at the hands of Connecticut. The Fever now face the No. 2 seed Las Vegas Aces in a best-of-five semifinal series beginning September 21 in Las Vegas.

The WNBA has seen its fair share of rivalries over the years, but the latest twist involving Sophie Cunningham’s fiery comments has taken things to another level. With the Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces set to collide in what many are calling the most explosive playoff matchup in league history, tensions are at a boiling point. Cunningham’s words, delivered with characteristic intensity, have ignited a storm that has transformed this series into more than just a basketball showdown—it has become a full-scale war for supremacy.

The Indiana Fever, led by rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, have brought new energy and national attention to the league. Their run to the playoffs has already been nothing short of remarkable, as Clark’s deep shooting range and competitive fire have elevated the team from an afterthought into one of the most dangerous squads in the postseason. Every game she plays is a spectacle, and her arrival has turned the Fever into a must-watch team, capable of taking on even the most established powerhouses.

On the other side stand the Las Vegas Aces, the reigning dynasty of the WNBA. With A’ja Wilson dominating the paint, Chelsea Gray orchestrating the offense, and Kelsey Plum providing a lethal scoring punch, the Aces have proven time and again why they are the standard for success. Back-to-back championships have put them in rarefied air, and their confidence, swagger, and ruthless efficiency make them a terrifying opponent for any challenger. For them, the Fever represent not just another playoff hurdle, but a team daring to intrude on their territory as the face of the league.

Enter Sophie Cunningham, the outspoken guard who has built a reputation as one of the league’s most unapologetic competitors. Known for her toughness, energy, and willingness to speak her mind, Cunningham didn’t hold back when discussing the Fever–Aces rivalry. Her comments framed the matchup as not only a battle between teams but as a clash of eras, a symbolic showdown between the new blood of the league and the established champions. To her, this isn’t just a playoff series—it’s basketball’s version of a nuclear explosion, and she has no problem stoking the flames.

What makes Cunningham’s comments so impactful is how they tap into the raw emotions surrounding this rivalry. Indiana fans, galvanized by Clark’s arrival, see the Fever as the rightful heirs to the throne, ready to topple the Aces and usher in a new era. Meanwhile, Las Vegas supporters view their team as untouchable, the queens of the league who have earned their dominance through grit and consistency. By framing the matchup as a war, Cunningham has intensified the stakes, ensuring that every play, every foul, and every bucket will feel monumental.

The animosity between the Fever and Aces has been building throughout the season. When the two teams met during the regular season, games were chippy, physical, and emotional. Both sides accused the other of crossing the line, whether in hard fouls, trash talk, or gamesmanship. For players, coaches, and fans, the rivalry became about pride as much as points. Cunningham’s recent remarks simply poured gasoline on a fire that was already blazing.

Sophie Cunningham’s role in this saga cannot be overlooked. While not the central star of either team, her bold personality makes her the perfect spark plug for drama. By calling out the rivalry in such apocalyptic terms, she has ensured that every moment of this series will be scrutinized, every storyline amplified. Love her or hate her, Cunningham knows how to elevate the spectacle, and in doing so, she has guaranteed that this showdown will be remembered as one of the league’s most iconic battles.

As the games unfold, fans should expect fireworks—both literal and figurative. The Fever will lean heavily on Clark’s shooting and playmaking, hoping her brilliance can break down the Aces’ defense. Meanwhile, Wilson and her teammates will look to impose their will inside, punishing Indiana for every defensive lapse and turning the series into a physical war of attrition. Each possession will feel like a mini-battle, and with emotions running high, tempers could flare at any moment.

No matter the outcome, the legacy of this rivalry is already cemented. The mere prospect of Clark and Wilson trading blows in a playoff atmosphere has elevated the WNBA to new heights. Add Cunningham’s provocative words into the mix, and the series transforms into must-see theater, a cultural moment as much as a sporting event. The Fever and Aces may be fighting for a championship, but they are also fighting for history, pride, and the chance to define an era.

As the dust settles, one team will emerge victorious, but the league as a whole will be the ultimate winner. Rivalries like this fuel growth, ignite passion, and capture audiences far beyond the traditional fan base. The WNBA has been waiting for its next defining clash, and now it has one. With stars shining, tempers flaring, and storylines multiplying, the Fever versus Aces showdown promises to deliver everything Cunningham predicted and more.

In the end, this playoff battle is about more than basketball—it is about legacy, identity, and the raw power of competition. Sophie Cunningham’s bombshell may have lit the fuse, but the players themselves will determine how far the explosion reaches. Fans should brace themselves, because this is not just a series. It is a war, a spectacle, and perhaps the beginning of the greatest rivalry in the history of the sport.