The Shot Heard ‘Round the World: Aliyah Boston’s Clutch Layup Sends Fever Forward

With 7.4 seconds remaining and the Indiana Fever’s playoff run hanging in the balance, Aliyah Boston sneaked past the Atlanta Dream’s defense and drained an unguarded layup to give her team a game-winning lead at Gateway Center Arena Thursday night.

Down 84-85, the St. Thomas native secured the rebound from a missed Dream three-pointer and sent it up the court. After a deflected pass attempt, Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell (#0) downed two Dream defenders and found Boston (#7) wide-open under the goal with a single hand raised. A successful pass positioned Boston to make the shot that sent the Fever to the semifinals. The dramatic sequence showed Boston’s composure in the clutch – a trait her mother has witnessed countless times.

“Aliyah didn’t quit on the failed play,” Cleone Boston observed from the stands. “She positioned her feet for the layup and just put her hands up. She didn’t even say anything.”

At halftime, with the game in the balance, Cleone Boston sent her daughter a message of faith: “Just keep trusting. You’ve got this, and God’s got you. You are already victorious.” The approach reflects the family’s perspective on their postseason journey. “This is a God story,” she explained.