The Atlanta Dream escaped Gateway Center Arena with an 82-80 victory over the Phoenix Mercury in a game that felt like playoff basketball from the opening tip. Despite trailing by as many as 15 points, the Dream erupted for 33 fourth quarter points to complete the comeback in front of a sold out crowd of 3,575 fans.
Phoenix controlled much of the first half behind Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper. Thomas finished with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists while Copper added 20 points of her own as the Mercury repeatedly attacked Atlanta early.
Dream head coach Karl Smesko said the intensity from Phoenix immediately stood out.
“Phoenix came out, and they were playing at playoff intensity,” Smesko said. “They took it to us early.”
Atlanta struggled offensively in the opening quarter, scoring just 13 points, but stayed within striking distance before exploding late in the game.
Rhyne Howard led the comeback effort with 21 points and six made threes. Angel Reese added 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Allisha Gray scored 18 points. Jordin Canada orchestrated the offense brilliantly with 11 points and 14 assists while also adding three steals.
Canada described the late game execution that helped seal the win.
“We knew we’ve been in these situations before,” Canada said. “We just continue to fight. We’re a very resilient team.”
One of the biggest plays came late when Canada attacked the paint before finding Howard for a clutch three pointer.
“I saw Rhyne open,” Canada said. “She’d been knocking threes down all night and I knew she was gonna make it.”
Smesko praised his team’s execution and the number of players who stepped up in critical moments.
“So many players made big plays down the stretch,” Smesko said. “Rhyne hits those big threes. Naz gets the offensive rebound off the free throw. Allisha makes both free throws. We needed every last one of them.”
The game became increasingly physical in the fourth quarter with multiple technical and flagrant fouls assessed. Reese acknowledged afterward that the Dream still have to improve emotionally in heated moments.
“We practice a lot on controlling our emotions,” Reese said. “We probably could’ve crashed out a little bit more, but I think we did a good job down the stretch.”
Atlanta’s defensive pressure completely shifted the game late. Reese and Canada each recorded three steals while the Dream forced Phoenix into mistakes during the closing minutes.
Smesko believes these difficult games are helping shape the identity of the team early in the season.
“The intensity feels like playoff basketball,” Smesko said. “When teams play Atlanta, this is a big game for everybody now. We’re gonna see everybody’s best shot.”
The Dream are now continuing to show a clear pattern through the first stretch of the season: even when games get chaotic, physical, or uncomfortable, they continue to fight until the final buzzer.
“We are a resilient team and the game is not over until it’s over,” Canada said. “Everybody battles till the very end.”
(Photos provided by the Atlanta Dream)
