Atlanta Dream Pull Away Late to Defeat Dallas Wings 86-69

The Atlanta Dream came into the game against the Dallas Wings after a tough one point loss to the Las Vegas Aces on May 17 after finding themselves down almost 20 points. In that game, they were without one of their key pieces, Rhyne Howard, who returned for tonight’s game.

To start the game, the Dream established a quick 8-0 lead as the Wings opened 0-8 from the field, including 0-3 from beyond the arc. After a Howard steal, the Dream extended their lead to 10-0 with 4:42 remaining in the first quarter. Rookie Azzi Fudd gave the Wings their first points of the game with a three point shot at the 3:46 mark. Fudd followed that up with a mid range jumper, cutting the score to 16-5.

At the end of the first quarter, the Dream led the Wings 19-9 while shooting 53% from the field. Atlanta also received balanced scoring with five players recording points in the period, led by Howard with six. Paige Bueckers was held scoreless in the opening quarter, going 0-4 from the field.

In the second quarter, the Wings came storming back behind a scoring burst from Odyssey Sims. After back to back turnovers and an 8-0 run to begin the quarter, Dallas quickly cut the deficit to 19-17. At the 6:18 mark of the second period, Bueckers scored her first points of the game on a three point shot.

Allisha Gray and Howard helped extend the Dream’s lead back to 13 as Atlanta went up 40-27 with less than three minutes remaining in the half. Coming out of a timeout, Te-Hina Paopao knocked down a three point shot to continue Atlanta’s momentum, followed by another Howard steal.

The Dream entered halftime leading 44-31 while shooting 50% from the field. Atlanta also recorded 15 defensive rebounds and committed eight turnovers in the first half. Howard led all scorers with 13 points. Dallas shot just 3-14 from three point range, while Bueckers had only five points and three turnovers in the opening half.

In the third quarter, Angel Reese started hot by making her first two shots in the paint. Following a Dallas 5-0 run and an offensive foul on Naz Hillmon, the Wings cut the lead to 48-42.

Bueckers took a hard fall with 6:22 remaining in the third quarter while attempting to draw a charge on Howard. After Atlanta pushed the lead back to 11, Awak Kuier hit a three pointer to bring the deficit back to single digits. Kuier continued to be a major presence for Dallas, converting back to back layups as the Wings continued to climb back into the game.

Despite the hard fall earlier in the quarter, Bueckers returned to the floor. Howard later connected on a mid range jumper to stop the bleeding after Dallas had cut the lead to four. Kuier then hit a desperation three point shot as the shot clock expired for her 15th point of the game. At the end of the third quarter, Atlanta still held a 63-58 lead.

Dallas opened the final quarter with three highly contested layups and took a 64-63 lead with 7:35 remaining in the game. A give and go from Jordin Canada to Gray put the Dream back on top 67-64. Following a Reese layup, the Wings called a timeout after seeing their lead disappear, trailing 69-64.

With less than three minutes remaining in the game, the Atlanta Dream extended their lead to 11 as the Dallas Wings struggled to generate offense. Atlanta later pushed the lead to 17 following fastbreak points and Dallas turnovers.

The Dream closed out the game and secured the 86-69 victory.

Atlanta’s next game will be at Gateway Center Arena on May 24 at 3 p.m. EDT against the Mercury.