Naz Hillmon paid tribute to Atlanta Dream's defense after they landed the first blow in their first-round series with the Indiana Pacers.

Atlanta edged ahead in the three-game series after prevailing 80-68 at Gateway Center Arena on Sunday.

Allisha Gray and Ryne Howard scored 20 points apiece for the Dream, while Hillmon contributed a further 16 points and nine rebounds.

The hosts, who claimed their first playoff win since 2018, restricted Fever to just two successful attempts from beyond the 3-point arc.

"I think the biggest thing is our defense," Hillmon said.

"Our defense is what I truly feel fuels our offense. Indiana are a great offensive team, and if you let them get hot, you let them get going, it can turn into a really ugly game."

GAME ONE — DONE!#DoItForTheDream | #SoATL pic.twitter.com/6sXAwZ1tL3

— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) September 14, 2025

Atlanta are now in a strong position to progress to the semi-finals. Historically, teams that win Game 1 in a best-of-three series go on to prevail 71% of the time.

"This is [this group's] first home game, period, in the playoffs," Howard added.

"So, for us to even have accomplished that much, to have the home-court advantage, we knew we had to make it a good one. We know that was our first playoff win, and we're looking to continue to have more."

"This wasn't going to be a year we were going to be satisfied with everybody telling us: 'Wow, you really improved over last year'. That's not what we're trying to do," head coach Karl Smesko continued.

"We're trying to be the best team in the league. We're trying to win the championship. We are all aware how hard that is, because everybody's trying for that. But we weren't going to let a year go by where we didn't go for it."