The 2025 WNBA season is on the horizon, and the Indiana Fever are no longer the league’s underdogs. After a breakout 2024 campaign fueled by Caitlin Clark’s historic rookie season, the Fever entered the preseason with expectations higher than ever. Gainbridge Fieldhouse was packed with fans hungry to witness the next chapter—a team with playoff ambitions, a deep roster, and a new sense of swagger.
But as the preseason finale against the Atlanta Dream unfolded, it became clear that this Indiana squad is more than just a Caitlin Clark show. Instead, it was Lexie Hull, a third-year guard known more for her defense than her offense, who stole the spotlight and delivered a performance that could redefine her career and the Fever’s trajectory.
Setting the Stage: High Hopes, New Faces, and a Team on the Rise
Entering the 2025 preseason, the Indiana Fever were riding a wave of optimism. The 2024 season had seen them break through, with Clark shattering rookie records and Aaliyah Boston anchoring the paint. The front office doubled down in the offseason, adding depth and shooting to surround their young core. The message was clear: Indiana wasn’t just aiming for improvement—they wanted to contend.
The preseason had already seen the Fever dispatch the Washington Mystics and the Brazil national team, setting up a perfect 2-0 record. But the Atlanta Dream, led by veterans like Tina Charles and Brittney Griner, presented a stiffer test. The Dream, with playoff aspirations of their own, were eager to spoil Indiana’s momentum.
Early Adversity: Atlanta’s Defense and Clark’s Quiet Start
From the opening tip at Gateway Center Arena, Atlanta made their intentions clear. They smothered Clark, throwing double teams and physical defenders her way. Indiana’s offense sputtered, and the Dream raced to an early 21-9 lead.
Clark, who had dazzled all preseason, missed her first three shots. Atlanta’s defense dared someone else to beat them. The Fever needed a spark.
Enter Aaliyah Boston, who steadied the ship with six points and a key defensive rebound, closing the gap to 26-23 by the end of the first quarter. In the second, Clark finally found her rhythm, drilling a deep three and setting up Boston for a layup that gave Indiana its first lead at 28-26.
By halftime, the score was knotted at 41. Clark had eight points, four assists, and three rebounds. Boston was in double figures with 10 points and five boards. Kelsey Mitchell added eight points, including two threes. But the real story was simmering quietly on the bench.
Lexie Hull: The Unexpected Hero Emerges
Lexie Hull, who transitioned to a bench role in 2024 after starting the previous year, was making her presence felt in subtle ways. She chipped in three points, a steal, and two rebounds in the first half—modest numbers, but her energy was contagious. Her defensive hustle and willingness to do the dirty work kept Indiana in the game.
The Fever’s balanced attack was on full display, but few could have predicted what was coming.
Third Quarter: Mitchell’s Fire, But Atlanta Won’t Go Away
The third quarter saw Kelsey Mitchell catch fire, pouring in eight points with two more three-pointers. Atlanta’s Tina Charles and Jordan Canada responded with 12 combined points, keeping the game tight. Clark, meanwhile, added two points and three assists, orchestrating the offense with poise.
Still, Atlanta refused to fold. The Fever’s defense wavered, and the Dream closed the gap to 62-60 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Fourth Quarter: Lexie Hull Takes Over
With the game on the line, Lexie Hull seized her moment. She hustled for an offensive rebound, drew a foul, and calmly sank both free throws to push Indiana’s lead to 64-60. Her intensity was infectious, and the Fever bench erupted as they sensed a turning point.
Then Hull exploded. In a career-defining fourth quarter, she poured in 11 points—hitting two clutch three-pointers and fearlessly attacking the rim for a driving layup that silenced the Atlanta crowd. Her final stat line: 14 points, five rebounds, four assists, one steal, and two out of four from deep—all in just 24 minutes.
But Hull’s impact wasn’t limited to scoring. She dove for loose balls, took charges, and forced three turnovers in the final five minutes. Her defensive pressure on Atlanta’s guards created fast break opportunities and disrupted the Dream’s rhythm.
Clark’s Clutch Gene and the Fever’s Depth
Feeding off Hull’s energy, Caitlin Clark delivered in crunch time. She added five points in the fourth, including a cold-blooded step-back three that extended Indiana’s lead to 78-73 with just 1:30 left. Her final line: 13 points, six rebounds, seven assists, and three out of seven from beyond the arc.
With the game in the balance, Atlanta sent a double team at Clark. She calmly found Hull, who was fouled and drained the crucial free throws with 10 seconds remaining, sealing the 81-76 victory.
A Statement Win—and a New Identity
Indiana’s preseason sweep was about more than just the final score. Hull’s breakout performance showcased the Fever’s bench strength, while Clark’s resilience after a minor off-court distraction underscored her leadership and maturity. Kelsey Mitchell and Aaliyah Boston combined for 24 points, while new additions like Dana Bonner and Sophie Cunningham flashed their potential.
Hull’s emergence as a two-way threat could reshape the Fever’s rotation. Known for her defensive grit, she had struggled offensively in previous seasons, shooting just 28.4% from three in her career before 2025. Against Atlanta, she flipped the script, hitting 50% from deep and displaying newfound confidence.
Her chemistry with Clark—evident in fast break plays and off-ball cuts—added a dynamic layer to Indiana’s attack. Hull’s ability to score, defend, and hustle makes her a Swiss Army knife, capable of swinging games in the Fever’s favor.
What This Means for the Fever—and the WNBA
The Fever’s victory was more than just a preseason win. It was a statement: Indiana is deeper than anyone realized. Hull’s performance proved that the Fever don’t need Clark to drop 30 every night to win. They have weapons everywhere, and their bench can change games.
As the regular season approaches, one thing is clear: Lexie Hull has arrived, and the Indiana Fever are a force to be reckoned with. Their balanced attack, relentless hustle, and newfound confidence have them poised for a playoff push—and maybe more.
The Fever’s 3-0 preseason record signals their readiness. The Atlanta game was a microcosm of their potential: a team that thrives on depth, heart, and clutch play. Hull’s breakout has put the entire league on notice.
If you thought the Fever were a one-woman show, think again. Now you know—the Fever are loaded, and they’re coming for it all.
