News Summary
The Atlanta Dream secured a significant victory against the Connecticut Sun, winning 79-55 in a WNBA matchup. Nia Coffey and Allisha Gray were key players, both scoring 18 points. The Dream showed strong performance in the second half, improving their season record to 3-2, while the Sun remains winless at 0-4. Despite injuries to key players, Atlanta’s depth was evident as they controlled the game, especially in rebounding. Looking ahead, the Dream will face the Los Angeles Sparks, while Connecticut aims for their first win against the Dallas Wings.
Atlanta
The Atlanta Dream secured a decisive victory over the Connecticut Sun with a final score of 79-55 in a WNBA matchup on Saturday. The win improved Atlanta’s season record to 3-2, while Connecticut remains winless at 0-4.
Nia Coffey was a standout performer for the Dream, scoring 18 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. She was matched in scoring by Allisha Gray, who also recorded 18 points, along with five rebounds and three assists. The effectiveness of the Dream’s second half saw them take control of the game following a close first half, leading to a dominant performance overall.
Game Progression
Atlanta entered halftime with a slight edge, leading the Sun 37-33. The Dream intensified their efforts after the break, starting the third quarter with a significant 15-5 run, which built their lead to 48-43. Throughout the match, Atlanta shot 41% from the field and dominated in rebounding, securing a total of 52 rebounds compared to Connecticut’s 34.
As the game progressed, Connecticut struggled offensively, managing only seven points in the fourth quarter while finishing with a disappointing 31% shooting percentage. Maya Caldwell contributed for Atlanta with 12 rebounds and six assists, while Rhyne Howard added 11 points and eight rebounds to the Dream’s totals. For the Sun, Marina Mabrey led with 12 points and 10 rebounds, followed by UConn alumni Tina Charles and Olivia Nelson-Ododa, who each scored 11 points.
Key Moments
Despite their shooting woes, the Dream led throughout much of the contest, even after missing nine of their ten 3-point attempts in the first quarter, yet still managed to finish that period ahead at 21-16. Charles briefly gave the Sun the lead with consecutive baskets in the second quarter, pushing the score to 28-27 before Coffey sealed the first half with a 3-pointer to again extend Atlanta’s advantage.
Injury Impacts
The Dream’s victory comes amid challenges, as the team has been dealing with injuries to key players, including Brittney Griner (knee), rookie Te-Hina Paopao (facial injury), and Jordin Canada (knee). The situation has tested Atlanta’s depth, but the team has demonstrated resilience, bouncing back with strong performances despite these setbacks.
Upcoming Matches
Looking ahead, the Atlanta Dream will face the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday, seeking to build on their current momentum. Meanwhile, Connecticut will host the Dallas Wings as both teams strive for their first win of the season.
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Additional Resources
- Norwich Bulletin: How to Watch Connecticut Sun vs Atlanta Dream
- Covers: Sun vs Dream Predictions
- Sports Illustrated: Sun vs Dream Prediction
- Wikipedia: WNBA
- Google Search: WNBA news
