The Atlanta Dream have advanced to the WNBA playoffs semifinals, marking their first progression past the opening round in four years. The team, which concluded the regular season with the Eastern Conference's top record, decisively defeated the Washington Mystics in Game 2 of their first-round series on Tuesday night.
Atlanta secured an 83-75 victory, with star guard Allisha Gray leading the scoring with 22 points. This win propels the Dream into the semifinals for the first time since the 2018 season.
Dominant Performance Secures Advancement
The Dream's postseason journey is set to continue this coming Sunday, as they will host Game 1 of the semifinals against the New York Liberty. The Liberty made league history by sweeping their first-round opponent, Minnesota, becoming the first No. 8 seed in the WNBA's 30-year history to eliminate a No. 1 seed.
During Tuesday's pivotal Game 2, Jordin Canada delivered crucial plays in the fourth quarter, sinking three-pointers on consecutive possessions. She further extended Atlanta's lead with a jumper from the free-throw line on the subsequent offensive trip, pushing the score to 89-70 with just under three minutes remaining in the contest.
Rhyne Howard, the top overall selection in the 2022 WNBA Draft, contributed 15 points before fouling out of the game with slightly over six minutes left in the fourth quarter. Angel Reese also posted a strong performance, adding 15 points and grabbing seven rebounds.
Mystics' Efforts and Dream's Resilience
The Washington Mystics struggled with ball control early in the game, committing 11 turnovers in the first half. Despite their early difficulties, Washington mounted a comeback in the third quarter, embarking on a 14-2 scoring run that narrowed Atlanta's lead to a slim 65-62.
However, the Dream quickly responded, scoring the next 13 points without interruption. This decisive run was punctuated by a three-pointer from Canada, re-establishing a commanding double-digit lead at 78-62 and effectively sealing their progression.
For the Mystics, this marked their initial playoff appearance since their 2019 WNBA championship victory. In contrast, the Dream have claimed the conference title three times between 2010 and 2013 but have yet to secure a WNBA championship in their franchise history.
