Full Breakdown
Atlanta Dream’s Dominant Stretch Highlights Record-Breaking Performances
8/14/2026, 11:36:22 AM
Core Event: Blowout Wins Over Connecticut Sun and Toronto Tempo
In a Thursday night road game, the Atlanta Dream defeated the Connecticut Sun 104-69. Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray each had 29 points, while Angel Reese grabbed a franchise-record 15 rebounds, raising her season total to 375 in 32 games. The Dream built a 66-36 lead midway through the third quarter and never looked back, leading by as many as 37 points.
A week later, Atlanta posted a 107-95 victory over the Toronto Tempo. Reese recorded 20 points and 14 rebounds, marking her 22nd double-double of the season and breaking the Dream’s single-season record for the category. Howard added 22 points and became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 100 three-pointers, doing so in 31 games.
Background & Context
The Dream entered the Connecticut game on a two-game winning streak and moved into first place in the Eastern Conference with a 21-12 record, overtaking the Indiana Fever. The Toronto win improved the team to 20-12, tying the fourth-placed Fever and keeping Atlanta among the league’s top five.
Reese, a former LSU star, missed two games in July with a left-knee injury. She returned to lead the league in rebounding. The 2024 season is her first with Atlanta after being traded from the Chicago Sky.
Key Figures & Groups
- Angel Reese — Forward, league leader in rebounds (11.9 per game) and holder of 22 double-doubles, the most in a single Dream season.
- Rhyne Howard — Guard, fastest WNBA player to reach 100 three-pointers (31 games).
- Allisha Gray — Guard, 29 points against Connecticut and 15 points against Toronto.
- Jordin Canada — Guard, 20 points and nine assists in the Tempo win.
- Atlanta Dream — Defensive unit ranked among the league’s best, at one point occupying the top three spots for steals per game.
Data & Statistics
- Scoring: Howard (29 points, 70% shooting) and Gray (29 points, 62% shooting) combined for 58 of Atlanta’s 104 points against Connecticut.
- Rebounding: Reese’s 15 rebounds set a single-season franchise total of 375 boards; she averaged 11.9 rebounds per game league-wide.
- Three-Point Shooting: Howard made five of ten attempts against Connecticut and six of ten against Toronto, reaching the 100-three-pointer milestone.
- Defensive Impact: Reese recorded three steals and four blocks in the Sun game; the Dream limited Connecticut to 69 points, the lowest total allowed by Atlanta this season.
- Team Record When Leading at Halftime: 14-2.
Impact and Significance
The twin blowouts underscore Atlanta’s emergence as a premier Eastern Conference contender. Howard’s perimeter shooting and Reese’s rebounding create a balanced attack that challenges opponents on both ends. Reese’s double-double tally and rebounding lead place her among the season’s elite interior players, while Howard’s three-point pace sets a new benchmark for shooting efficiency.
Defensively, the Dream’s high steal rates and interior shot-blocking contribute to a low opponent scoring average, reinforcing their reputation as one of the league’s toughest defensive squads. These factors improve Atlanta’s playoff positioning and raise expectations for a deep postseason run.
What’s Next
Following the Toronto victory, the Dream host the Connecticut Sun on Thursday and travel to face the Indiana Fever on Sunday. A matchup against the Dallas Wings is scheduled for Wednesday. These games will determine whether Atlanta can sustain its first-place standing and solidify its status as a championship contender.
