Atlanta Dream’s Winning Streak and Strong Season Performance

The Atlanta Dream entered Monday night’s game at home against the Toronto Tempo with a three-game winning streak. This streak started on June 14 with a decisive 102-77 victory over the Tempo in Toronto. Following that, Atlanta secured consecutive wins against the Indiana Fever. They defeated the Fever 108-101 in a tightly contested game in Atlanta and then achieved a 113-96 blowout on Saturday, setting a new franchise record for scoring.

Rhyne Howard was instrumental, scoring 24 points. Allisha Gray contributed 22 points, Naz Hillmon added 19, and Jordin Canada nearly achieved a double-double with 12 points, 12 assists, and seven rebounds. Angel Reese also had a strong performance, scoring 18 points and grabbing eight rebounds, setting a WNBA record for being the fastest player to reach 1,000 career rebounds.

This win improved Atlanta’s record to 11-4 for the season, placing them first in the Eastern Conference with a .733 winning percentage. Only the Minnesota Lynx, at 13-4, hold a better record across the league. Angel Reese expressed optimism about the team’s future, as she spoke to Keiana Martin from SportsCenter. Reese noted, “In June, we looked so great. I’m just wondering what it would look like in October and in September.” She mentioned the absence of Brionna Jones, a key player, as a factor that could further strengthen the team.

Throughout the season so far, the Dream have defeated top-seeded teams including the Lynx, the Dallas Wings, and the Fever, winning against both the Wings and Fever twice. Their victories also include wins over teams like the Tempo, Portland Fire, and Washington Mystics. These teams are seen as playoff contenders, and the Wings and Fever were anticipated to be title favorites.

Reese highlighted the potential impact of Brionna Jones, who has not played this season due to a torn meniscus. Jones, a four-time WNBA All-Star, is expected to enhance the team’s strength upon her return. Reese herself has maintained impressive performance metrics in Atlanta, averaging a career-high of 15.3 points and leading the league with 11.9 rebounds per game.

With the potential integration of Jones and a sustained strong performance, the Atlanta Dream could pose a significant threat in the playoffs, standing as one of the most formidable teams in the WNBA.