Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull once again proved why she’s their defensive anchor. In Game 3 against the Atlanta Dream, her perfectly timed steal in the final seconds didn’t just seal the win; it ended a decade-long semifinal drought for Indiana. Here’s how Hull anticipated the Dream’s plan and turned defense into destiny.

Let’s discuss the play before we get to the explanation. Only 7.4 seconds were left on the clock, and Fever had just snagged a single-point lead from right under Dream’s nose. Rhyne Howard looked for the inbound, but Indiana’s defense was choking Atlanta. So much so that Howard had to call a timeout to avoid getting a 5-second penalty. As she searched for options around the defense, Howard tried to slip it through to Brionna Jones, but Hull snatched the ball to make the game-winning steal. It was as if Lexie Hull already knew what Howard was thinking, and it turns out she did. 

Hull said after the game, “Yeah. So, AK (Austin Kelly), our assistant, kind of drew up a play he thought they’d run, and it was really close to what they ended up running and, especially with such a short amount of time on the clock. Like, we knew they were going to try to get it into Bri Jones, and just saw the ball bounce, and it was my opportunity.”

Why Brionna Jones? Jones is their best post player by far. With 9.3 points per game in the paint, she can seal deep, draw contact, or kick out, giving them multiple options to make the basket in the final seconds. While it was the best option, but turned out to be too obvious, especially for an elite defender like Lexie Hull, who further explained her rapid thoughts after getting the crucial steal.

Hull continued, “I was helping off the corner, and you know, at that point I was like, there’s not enough time, like let’s try to run the clock out. So we tried to give it out to we run around and have them chase us. But I mean, it was just we were all so locked in that last possession.”

Lexie Hull did not rejoice immediately after the play. She had 4 Dream players around her with a bigger frame. Instead of looking ahead, Hull did the smart thing; she looked for a pass towards her own basket towards Aliyah Boston. Odyssey Sims was fouled and sank one of two free throws to increase their lead, 87-85. 

The Dream got one last look, but Brionna Jones’ buzzer-three rimmed out. Hull was a key player the entire game, finishing with 10 points, 2  assists, and 2 steals, including a driving lay-up in the final minute to cut the lead down to just 1. Fever were trailing for the majority of the game, when did the tide turn? Fever coach Stephanie White points it out. 

Aliyah Boston’s Crucial Play Away From The Ball Turned The Game

The Indiana Fever were staring down at a round 1 exit. After a second quarter, after which they led by 2, the Dream crawled to a 7-point lead at the half. The Indiana Fever were always playing catch-up since then, as the win probability on ESPN analytics never went towards the Fever till the fourth quarter. The Fever was playing like it was the last game of their lives, but still had a lot to cover. According to White, the comeback started when Aliyah Boston clashed with Brionna Jones. 

White told the media after the game, “I felt like the turning point for us was when AB got the tech, honestly, you know, there was physicality throughout the course of the game, and at that point, you know, that was a composure check, and it was an opportunity right then for us to turn the tide. Um, and our group responded.”

The ball was with Kelsey Mitchell at the three-point line as she looked for the shot. But as Aliyah Boston was looking to cut, she got tangled up with Jones. As she was appealing to the referees to call for a foul, she threw Jones to the ground. The play was reviewed, and ultimately Boston got the technical while Jones was given a personal. While this play did not bring any points, it changed the flow of the game. 

By the end of the third period, they cut the deficit to just four points, 73-69, and went on to win the game. The Boston vs Jones battle was always going to be key, and Boston took the W this time. She finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists, including the go-ahead lay-up. Boston’s journey ahead doesn’t get easier as she will go head-to-head against A’ja Wilson in the semifinals. However, Boston is not alone in this battle; a veteran with championship experience is beside her, Natasha Howard.