In a game defined by runs and resilient play, the Atlanta Dream fought tooth and nail but ultimately fell short against the Phoenix Mercury, 82-80. The loss ends the Dream’s three-game winning streak, as they now shift their focus to an upcoming clash against the Indiana Fever.
The Dream found themselves in an early hole, trailing 24-17 after the first quarter. The Mercury came out firing, with Brittney Griner scoring 8 quick points and Diana Taurasi finding her rhythm late. Phoenix effectively spread out Atlanta’s defense, forcing tough decisions on when to double Griner and when to close out on shooters. According to Dream head coach Tanisha Wright, Phoenix “did a good job of spreading us out, going into BG, and making us decide if we were going to help or leave their shooters.” Adjustments were made, but the early deficit loomed large.
Despite being down, the Dream didn’t waver. The second quarter saw a much more competitive effort, with Atlanta tying the quarter and staying within reach. Allisha Gray was instrumental during this stretch, making highlight plays like chasing down a loose ball and saving it with a dazzling between-the-legs pass. “Our group showed tons of resiliency in this game. Just super resilient,” Coach Wright emphasized post-game.
In the third quarter, the Dream cut the lead to just three points multiple times, but each time they threatened, Phoenix had an answer. Jordan Canada hit key three-pointers, keeping the Dream alive, while Tina Charles secured a double-double, finishing with 14 points and 13 rebounds. However, as Coach Wright noted, Phoenix’s adjustments, combined with Taurasi’s clutch shooting, kept the Mercury ahead.
The final quarter was nothing short of dramatic. Griner’s back-to-back baskets made it difficult for Atlanta to close the gap, but Allisha Gray refused to let the Dream go quietly. With three minutes remaining, Gray hit a tough shot, completed an and-one, and brought the Dream within a point. Yet, Taurasi immediately responded with a jumper, keeping the Mercury in control.
Atlanta had a crucial chance to tie the game late when Gray drilled a three-pointer, but it was waved off due to a timeout called just before the shot. The Dream continued to fight, with Rhyne Howard sinking two clutch free throws to bring them within one point with just 13.4 seconds left. Despite the relentless effort, Taurasi’s late-game heroics, including a dagger three-pointer, proved to be the difference as the Mercury held on for the 82-80 win.
After the game, Coach Wright remained proud of her team’s resilience, stating, “We didn’t expect to go 16-0… What they showed, the gutsiness and toughness they showed tonight to continue to fight and dig deep—we’re going to need that moving forward.” She also acknowledged that containing a player like Griner is never easy, saying, “BG is a Hall of Famer… she’s always going to make people’s lives tough.”
The Dream’s standout player of the night was Allisha Gray, who led the team with 22 points and consistently found ways to score even against tough defense. When asked about her approach, Gray simply stated, “I was just being aggressive, playing my game. I just took advantage of what the defense was giving me and was able to get to my spots and hit my shots.”
The loss may have stung, but the Dream showed the kind of resilience and fight that bodes well for their next matchup. As they prepare for a sold-out game against the Fever on Monday, the team knows they must put this one behind them and bring the same intensity that nearly led them to a dramatic comeback.
