Atlanta Dream Reach WNBA Semifinals for First Time Since 2018
Allisha Gray scores 22 points as Dream defeat Mystics in Game 2 to advance.
The Atlanta Dream have advanced to the WNBA semifinals for the first time since 2018, securing a 83-75 victory over the Washington Mystics in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series. Star guard Allisha Gray led the Dream with 22 points in the decisive win.
The victory marks the first time in four years the Dream have avoided a first-round playoff exit. Atlanta, which finished the regular season with the Eastern Conference’s best record, will host Game 1 of the semifinals against the New York Liberty on Sunday.
The Liberty made league history by sweeping the Minnesota Lynx, becoming the first No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed in the WNBA's 30-year history.
In Tuesday night's game, Jordin Canada’s critical scoring in the fourth quarter helped seal the win. She made back-to-back three-pointers and added a jumper from the free-throw line, extending Atlanta’s lead to 89-70 with under three minutes remaining.
Rhyne Howard, the top pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft, contributed 15 points before fouling out with just over six minutes left in the fourth quarter. Angel Reese also scored 15 points and added seven rebounds.
The Mystics, making their first playoff appearance since winning the 2019 WNBA championship, struggled with turnovers, committing 11 in the first half. Washington mounted a 14-2 run starting in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 65-62, but Atlanta responded with a 13-0 run, including Canada's decisive scoring stretch, to regain control.
The Dream have reached the conference finals three times between 2010 and 2013 but have yet to win a WNBA championship.
The other first-round series featured the Dallas Wings hosting the Golden State Valkyries.