The Atlanta Dream proved once again that they can win in more ways than one.
Despite shooting under 20 percent from three-point range while Chicago connected on more than 50 percent of its attempts from deep, Atlanta leaned on defense, rebounding, and late-game execution to pull away for an 82-75 victory over the Chicago Sky on Tuesday night.
With the game tied and momentum hanging in the balance entering the final minutes, Atlanta’s veteran core delivered. The Dream closed the game on a decisive run fueled by timely defensive stops, second-chance opportunities, and contributions from every player on the floor.
“We just made the plays when we needed to,” Dream head coach Karl Smesko said. “When it got to the point where we had to make plays, everybody on the floor stepped up and made plays.”
Starting Five Continues to Deliver
Atlanta’s starting lineup of Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon, and Angel Reese improved to 8-2 together, with all five starters scoring in double figures.
Angel Reese recorded another dominant double-double with 17 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, and two steals, marking her second consecutive game with 17 rebounds. According to the Dream, Reese became the first player in franchise history to record back-to-back 17-rebound performances.
Rhyne Howard matched Reese with 17 points, adding five assists and three steals while reaching another significant career milestone. Howard surpassed 2,500 career points and became the youngest player in WNBA history to record 2,500 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists, 200 steals, and 100 blocks.
Naz Hillmon continued her breakout stretch with a season-high 16 points, six rebounds, and three made three-pointers. Allisha Gray added 14 points and three steals, while Jordin Canada chipped in 14 points and six assists.
Reese Dominates the Glass Again
Reese’s impact extended well beyond the box score.
The Dream finished with a 36-25 rebounding advantage, including a crucial edge on the offensive glass that created additional possessions in a game where Atlanta struggled from long range.
Smesko credited Reese’s relentless effort for helping Atlanta survive an off shooting night.
“She had a remarkable game tonight,” Smesko said. “Seventeen rebounds, back-to-back 17-rebound games. That’s never been done by a Dream player before. I thought down the stretch she made some really big plays. We were looking for her to screen and get behind people, and she did it.”
Reese, who spent the first two years of her professional career in Chicago, downplayed the significance of facing her former team.
“It’s another basketball game,” Reese said. “I have a lot of love for Chicago. The fans have embraced me and still show a lot of support. I appreciate the city.”
The reigning rebounding leader instead focused on doing what she believes helps the team most.
“Offensive rebounding is something I know I can always get,” Reese said. “If you want to give your team more opportunities and more shots, you’ve got to take pride in that.”
Hillmon’s Shooting Progress Showing Results
One of the biggest developments for Atlanta this season has been Hillmon’s growth as a perimeter shooter.
After hitting three three-pointers against Chicago, Hillmon admitted the season has featured some shooting struggles, but she never lost confidence.
“It’s hard when you’re seeing one-for-nine games and still being told to shoot the ball,” Hillmon said. “But everybody on this team continues to encourage us to shoot when we’re open.”
Smesko believes Hillmon’s offseason work is beginning to translate in games.
“She’s improved her shooting a great deal,” Smesko said. “Getting comfortable doing it in a game environment is the next step. She’s open, she knocked it down, and it looks really good.”
Reese echoed those sentiments when discussing Hillmon’s impact.
“Nas always comes up with the big steps,” Reese said. “A lot of things she does don’t always show, but it showed tonight.”
Defense Creates Separation
Atlanta’s offense wasn’t at its sharpest, but the Dream’s defense delivered when it mattered most.
The Dream forced key turnovers late and converted them into transition opportunities, including several crucial steals by Howard and Gray.
Smesko noted that generating more turnovers has been a major emphasis since training camp.
“We had a really good defense last year, but I thought we didn’t turn people over enough,” Smesko said. “That’s been a big point of emphasis. Today a couple of those steals turned directly into points, and on a day when we’re not shooting the ball great, that’s huge.”
Atlanta also held Chicago to just 17 fourth-quarter points while scoring 25 points of its own.
According to Hillmon, the difference came on the defensive end.
“We weren’t really getting stops throughout the first 35 minutes,” Hillmon said. “Making sure we locked down and got some stops allowed us to get out in transition. Then we executed our plays down the stretch.”
Dream Finding Multiple Ways to Win
Perhaps the most encouraging takeaway for Atlanta was the ability to win despite not relying on its trademark three-point shooting.
The Dream shot below their usual standards from beyond the arc but still finished with 82 points thanks to rebounding, transition opportunities, and interior scoring.
“You don’t win a lot of games when you shoot under 20 percent from three and your opponent shoots over 50 percent,” Smesko said. “But really good teams find another way to get it done.”
That versatility has become a defining trait of this Atlanta team.
“I think that’s the thing about our team,” Hillmon said. “We always seem to find a way.”
With the victory, Atlanta improved to 8-3 on the season and continues to establish itself as one of the WNBA’s most balanced teams, capable of winning with three-point shooting, defense, transition offense, or sheer determination on the glass.
On a night when the shots weren’t always falling, the Dream found another path to victory. And that may be their most dangerous trait yet.
