COLLEGE PARK, Ga. – The Atlanta Dream returned from the mid-season FIBA World Cup break with a thunderous statement, dismantling the Connecticut Sun 103-59 on Thursday night. In a performance that underscored their status as a legitimate title contender, the Dream showcased record-breaking individual brilliance and a suffocating team defense that left their opponents reeling.
Leading the charge was Angel Reese, who transitioned seamlessly from her international gold-medal run in Germany back into the WNBA rhythm. Reese was nearly unstoppable, posting 30 points on an efficient 11-of-14 shooting performance. With 5:38 remaining in the contest, she sank a free throw to reach the 30-point mark, and moments later, she hauled in her 10th rebound of the evening. That grab secured her 30th double-double of the season, extending her own WNBA record and solidifying her case for league MVP honors. She finished the night just one point shy of her career high, dominating the floor in just 25 minutes of action.
While Reese controlled the interior, Rhyne Howard rewrote the league’s history books from the perimeter. Entering the night on the verge of greatness, Howard finally etched her name at the top of the record board with 6:45 left in the fourth quarter. Her lone three-pointer of the game—coming on her ninth attempt—was her 129th of the season, officially eclipsing the WNBA record set by Sabrina Ionescu in 2023. Remarkably, Howard achieved the feat in just 40 games.
The offensive onslaught didn’t stop there. Allisha Gray contributed 10 points, a modest total that nonetheless pushed her season scoring tally to 782, establishing a new franchise record for the Dream (27-14).
The game turned into a runaway train after halftime. Following a relatively competitive first half, the Dream surged, outscoring the Sun 31-11 in the third quarter and 27-13 in the final frame. Connecticut (10-31) struggled to find any sustained momentum, with Olivia Nelson-Ododa serving as the lone bright spot, scoring all 13 of her team-high points in the first half.
The lopsided result marked a difficult return to play for the Sun, compounded by the unfortunate news announced by the team prior to tip-off: center Brionna Jones will miss the remainder of the season due to a left leg injury sustained on August 13.
For the Dream, the victory serves as a momentum builder heading into the final stretch of the campaign. They look to carry this dominant energy into their next matchup, hosting the Chicago Sky on Saturday night. Meanwhile, the Sun will look to regroup as they prepare to host Minnesota on Sunday.
With the postseason fast approaching, Thursday’s performance suggests that the Atlanta Dream are not only ready for the playoffs but are peaking at exactly the right time.
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