Atlanta Dream Rally Past Washington Mystics to Take Game 1 of the Playoffs 92-77

WNBA

Sep 27

The Atlanta Dream didn’t have the start they wanted, but they showed what this team is capable of when the defense takes over.

Atlanta opened its postseason with a 92-77 win over the Washington Mystics on Sunday at State Farm Arena, taking a 1-0 lead in the first-round series. After struggling to find their rhythm early, the Dream found another gear in the second half, turning defensive stops into scoring opportunities and giving their home crowd plenty to cheer about.

It wasn’t a perfect start. It was a response that mattered.

Atlanta missed nine of its first 10 shots and found itself down 14-5 in the opening quarter. Washington had the Dream working to find their footing, and the shooting struggles continued into the first half. At the break, Atlanta was still trailing by five, with Allisha Gray and Angel Reese combining to shoot just 4-of-22.

But the Dream didn’t let a difficult first half define the night.

Defense Changed Everything

Atlanta came out of halftime with a different level of urgency, and the third quarter became the turning point.

The Dream opened the period with a 7-0 run to take the lead, putting Washington on its heels. From there, Atlanta began creating the kind of opportunities that had been missing early in the game. Defensive pressure turned into steals, turnovers turned into points, and the momentum started shifting in the Dream’s favor.

DeWanna Bonner played a major role in that change. Coming off the bench, she scored 13 points, including 11 during the third-quarter push that helped Atlanta build separation. Her experience showed up when the Dream needed someone to settle things down and make plays.

Bonner also reached a career milestone, surpassing 1,300 postseason points after scoring her ninth point of the night. For a team looking to make a deeper playoff run, having a veteran who understands these moments can be valuable.

Atlanta carried a 65-53 lead into the fourth quarter, and its defense continued to make life difficult for Washington.

The Dream finished with a franchise postseason record of 16 steals, forced 23 turnovers and turned those mistakes into 27 points. Rhyne Howard recorded five steals, moving into sixth place on Atlanta’s all-time postseason steals list and tying the franchise mark for steals in a single postseason game.

The team also took care of business at the free-throw line, shooting 96.2%.

That defensive effort was the difference. Atlanta found a way to make up for its early shooting struggles by creating extra possessions and making Washington pay for its mistakes.

Angel Reese Makes Her Playoff Debut Count

Sunday also marked the first playoff appearance for Reese, Madina Okot and Isobel Borlase, giving the night another layer of significance for Atlanta.

Reese finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds, recording a double-double in her postseason debut. Her impact went beyond the box score, particularly when Atlanta needed extra possessions and second chances.

Late in the fourth quarter, with Washington cutting into the Dream’s lead, Reese grabbed an offensive rebound to keep a possession alive. Jordin Canada followed with a steal, and Gray completed a three-point play to help Atlanta regain control.

Those are the kinds of plays that matter in the postseason. It’s not always about having the perfect shooting night. Sometimes it’s about staying active, fighting for another possession and finding a way to make the next play.

Okot also made her presence felt. After entering the game alongside Reese to open the fourth quarter, she scored on a layup and followed it with a steal that led to a Howard three-pointer. The sequence helped Atlanta stretch its lead to 70-53.

For two players making their first playoff appearances, those contributions came at an important point in the game.

Howard, Gray and Canada Lead the Way

Atlanta’s success came from multiple players stepping up when the game called for it.

Howard led the Dream with 26 points, while Gray added 22. Bonner finished with 13 points, Reese had 13 points and 12 rebounds, and Canada contributed 10 points and 11 assists.

Canada also recorded her second postseason double-double and moved into fifth place on Atlanta’s all-time postseason assists list. Her ability to create opportunities for teammates helped the Dream find its rhythm as the game progressed.

The starting lineup of Canada, Gray, Howard, Naz Hillmon and Reese now has a 1-0 record together in playoff games. With five players reaching double figures, Atlanta showed it has multiple options when it needs offense, even on a night when the shots aren’t falling early.

Washington made one more push in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to seven points with just over three minutes remaining. But Atlanta responded with the kind of sequence that reflected the night’s story: Reese secured the offensive rebound, Canada came up with her steal, and Gray finished the play at the other end.

The Dream held on and closed out the 15-point win.

One Win Down, More Work Ahead

The victory moves Atlanta’s all-time playoff record against Washington to 7-4 and gives the Dream an opportunity to advance to the semifinals with another win.

Still, the team knows there is room to improve. The early shooting struggles and the deficit they had to overcome are reminders that they cannot afford to rely on a second-half turnaround every night.

The encouraging part for Atlanta is how it responded. The Dream found their identity through defense, created opportunities off turnovers and got contributions from veterans and players experiencing the postseason for the first time.

Game 1 was a strong start, but the series is far from over. Washington will have a chance to respond on its home floor Wednesday, and Atlanta will need to bring that same defensive intensity from the opening tip.

The Dream have their first playoff win. Now the focus shifts to finishing the job.