Dream Returns with a Decisive Win
Published on September 17, 2026 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Atlanta Dream News Release
The Atlanta Dream shot out of the blocks in its four-game sprint to the WNBA playoffs with a 103-59 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Thursday at Gateway Center Arena.
Angel Reese led Atlanta (27-14) with 30 points and 10 rebounds, doing it in less than 25 minutes for the first time in WNBA history. It was her record-extending 30th double-double.
"I'm very well rested, and I was ready to play today, especially with this team, knowing how good we are ... and right now it's important to make sure we're setting the tone and leaving a taste in everybody's mouth about what the playoffs are going to look like," Reese said.
Teammates Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, and Naz Hillmon also hit important career milestones:
Howard set the WNBA single-season record for 3-pointers when she hit her 129th, and first in the game, with 6:45 remaining. Sabrina Ionescu set the record in 2023. Howard finished with 10 points, eight assists, six rebounds, and four steals. Howard raised her arm in triumph when the record-setter fell.
"I'm breaking a 3-point record every year, so I expect nothing less than that," Howard said. "It's what I like to do, and I'm going to keep doing it."
Gray set the Dream single-season scoring record when she notched her 774th point on a layup with 3:24 left in the first quarter. She broke the record she set last season. She finished with 10 points.
Hillmon hit her 100th career 3-pointer with 6:24 remaining in the first quarter. She finished with nine points.
The win put the Dream firmly into fourth place in the East, a half-game ahead of Indiana. Atlanta is just a half-game behind third-place Las Vegas. Both teams have played one fewer game than the Dream. The top four teams will host the first-round playoff series. The Dream will host Chicago this Saturday at State Farm Arena.
"I believe we're going to go all the way, and obviously it's going to be a lot of chatter on the outside," Reese said. "But as long as we continue to focus on what's in our locker room, that's all that matters."
The Dream built a 45-35 lead at halftime. Reese powered the scoring with 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting.
Atlanta broke open the game with a 13-2 run to start the third quarter. The Dream carried a 76-46 lead into the fourth.
Atlanta's defense was ferocious. It set a season mark for fewest points allowed, lowering the 66 it allowed against Portland on May 29, and tied its season mark for fewest 3-pointers allowed (3). The Sun finished with 35.4% shooting, including hitting 15% (3 of 20) of its 3s.
Dream Head Coach Karl Smesko said he hopes the team can go into the playoffs on a high note.
"You want everybody in the locker room feeling, 'hey we've got this, we've been putting it together, we've been making improvements, we're ready to go,'" he said. "Today was a step in that direction."
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from September 17, 2026
- Sky Fall to Mystics 110-80 - Chicago Sky
- Big Second Half Sends Wings over Los Angeles - Dallas Wings
- Dream Returns with a Decisive Win - Atlanta Dream
- Dream Sweep Sun in Series Finale, 103-59 - Connecticut Sun
- Game Notes: Atlanta Dream 103, Connecticut Sun 59 - Atlanta Dream
- Game Preview: Valkyries vs. Seattle Storm - 9/19/26 - Golden State Valkyries
- Sky Begin Post-FIBA Stretch to Conclude Season - Chicago Sky
- Behind the Glow: Ashlon Jackson - Connecticut Sun
- Brionna Jones Injury Update - Atlanta Dream
- Dallas Wings Convert Haley Jones Contract to Standard Player Agreement - Dallas Wings
- Game Preview: Fever at Tempo - Indiana Fever
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