COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — The Atlanta Dream are officially playoff bound! With a 100-78 victory over the Dallas Wings, the Dream secured their 11th postseason appearance in franchise history.
This wasn’t just a win — it was a statement. The Dream (25-14) now sit in third place in the WNBA standings, already surpassing last season’s win total by 10 with five games still to play.
Rhyne Howard’s All-Around Brilliance
Rhyne Howard was simply unstoppable. She dropped 24 points on six made threes, but her defense was the real story: a career-high six blocks, anchoring the Dream on both ends of the floor.
Her performance showcased why she’s emerging as one of the league’s premier two-way stars and a serious candidate for All-Defensive Team honors.
Balanced Scoring and Selfless Play
This was a full team effort:
- Allisha Gray: 19 points, continuing her MVP-level season.
- Brionna Jones: 16 points inside, punishing Dallas in the paint.
- Te-Hina Paopao: 14 points, stretching the floor with confidence.
- Brittney Griner: 11 points off the bench, providing veteran presence and toughness.
The most impressive stat? 32 assists on 38 made baskets. The Dream played unselfish basketball, moving the ball until they found the perfect shot.
Bench Spark: Naz Hillmon Does It Again
Naz Hillmon, the frontrunner for Sixth Player of the Year, made her presence felt with timely buckets, including a reverse layup that capped a decisive 10-0 fourth-quarter run. Hillmon has been Atlanta’s X-factor all season, providing energy, scoring, and defense off the bench.
The Difference: Defense and Depth
Dallas, playing without Paige Bueckers and seven others due to injuries, simply couldn’t match Atlanta’s depth or defensive intensity.
The Wings (9-31) showed fight — Maddy Siegrist’s 23 points and Bueckers’ double-double (16 points, 10 assists) kept things competitive early — but once the Dream locked in during the second half, it was over.
Atlanta’s defense clamped down, holding Dallas to just nine points in the first eight minutes of the fourth quarter while the offense rolled.
Coach Karl Smesko: “This is Just the Beginning”
Head coach Karl Smesko praised his team’s growth and resilience after the game:
“Clinching a playoff spot is the first step, but our focus remains on finishing strong and competing for a championship.”
The Dream haven’t won a playoff series since 2018, but with this roster — three All-Stars in Gray, Howard, and Jones, plus the veteran leadership of Griner and Jordin Canada — this team feels different.
What’s Next
The Dream head into the final stretch of the season with momentum and belief. The playoffs tip off September 14, with Atlanta likely hosting a first-round matchup under the league’s new 1-1-1 format.
With their depth, star power, and one of the top defenses in the WNBA, the Dream aren’t just looking to make the playoffs. They’re aiming to make noise.
Bottom Line
The Atlanta Dream are officially back in the postseason, and this time, they’re built to compete.
From Rhyne Howard’s two-way dominance to Allisha Gray’s MVP-level play and Naz Hillmon’s bench spark, Atlanta has the pieces to go on a serious run.
Dream fans — buckle up. The playoffs are coming back to College Park.
👉 Dream fans, what excites you most about this playoff run? Rhyne Howard’s defense? Allisha Gray’s MVP-level season? Or the team’s depth? Drop your thoughts in the comments below — and let’s get ready for some postseason basketball!