ATLANTA, GA — The Atlanta Dream, coming off a five-game losing streak, faced the reigning two-time champions, the Las Vegas Aces, on July 12, 2024, at Gateway Center. The Dream, now 7-15 for the season, struggled against the formidable Aces, who extended their record to 15-7 with an 84-70 victory.
The game began with the Aces leading 15-6, setting a strong tone with their energy and performance. The last encounter at Gateway saw the Dream upsetting the Aces, but both teams have since undergone significant changes. The Dream have been without their star Rhyne Howard, emotional leader Aerial Powers, and the newly acquired Jordin Canada, who is sidelined with a broken finger. This depleted roster contributed to the team’s current losing streak.
On the other hand, the Aces have been on a hot streak with the return of their star playmaker Chelsea Gray. With Gray back, the Aces have won 8 of their last 9 games, including recent victories over the Dallas Wings and the Seattle Storm.
The Dream managed to close the gap to 20-19 early in the second quarter after a cold streak by the Aces. However, a timeout by Las Vegas helped them regain their rhythm, and they never looked back. The crowd was particularly energized by A’ja Wilson, who delivered a stellar performance with 33 points and 18 rebounds. Kelsey Plum, freed from primary playmaking duties thanks to Gray, contributed significantly with 7 assists despite Gray having an off night.
The Dream, despite their challenges, showed resilience. Cheyenne Parker-Tyus led the team with 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals off the bench. Tina Charles added a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, marking her ninth of the season. Destanni Henderson also contributed with 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Coach Tanisha Wright acknowledged the tough situation but emphasized the team’s need for the upcoming break. “It’ll be a wanted and a needed stoppage for us to get healthy for sure. We know we’re without some key components, but I’m proud of the fight our players are putting in now. We have to keep pushing forward, not be complacent.”
Despite the loss, the Dream’s effort was commendable, with the team outscoring the Aces 42-16 in the paint. The upcoming break will be crucial for the Dream as they aim to regroup and come back stronger, hoping to eventually field a fully healthy roster.
Game Notes:
- The Dream started Haley Jones, Maya Caldwell, Allisha Gray, Naz Hillmon, and Tina Charles for the first time this season.
- Cheyenne Parker-Tyus led the Dream with 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals.
- Tina Charles recorded her ninth double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
- Naz Hillmon tied her season high with 9 rebounds in her first start of the season.
- The Dream outscored the Aces 42-16 in the paint.
Quotes:
Wright on the Dream’s dominance in the paint:
“You get points in the paint where you’re running in transition. That’s something that has been an emphasis for us for the last month. We’re getting easy points. I thought [Parker-Tyus] did a great job of not settling, getting points in the paint.”
Caldwell on the team’s mindset:
“Every time I come, the energy is great. The goal remains the same, to win, to compete, and to keep pushing forward no matter what the outcome is each game.”
The Dream’s resilience and potential were evident despite the loss, and the team looks forward to leveraging the upcoming break to heal and strategize for the rest of the season.
