Atlanta Dream Defeats Washington Mystics to Advance in WNBA Playoffs

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September 30, 2026; Game two of the first round of the WNBA Playoffs took place at CareFirst Arena, Washington, D.C. A notable highlight featured Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada driving past Washington Mystics guard Alicia Florez.

Atlanta Dream Triumphs

Allisha Gray delivered a standout performance by scoring 22 points, while Jordin Canada contributed 19 points, with 13 scored in the pivotal fourth quarter. This victory marked Atlanta Dream’s advancement to the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs for the first time since 2018. They defeated the Washington Mystics 93-75 in Game 2 of their first-round series.

Atlanta, which previously faced first-round exits for three consecutive seasons, is set to host Game 1 of the semifinals against New York. Notably, New York achieved a remarkable feat by eliminating a No. 1 seed as a No. 8 seed, a milestone in the league’s 30-year history.

Canada showcased her prowess by sinking back-to-back 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and adding a jumper from the free-throw line, contributing to an 89-70 lead with 2:58 remaining.

Canada further impressed with 11 assists and seven rebounds. Rhyne Howard contributed 15 points before fouling out with 6:03 left, while Angel Reese also recorded 15 points and Naz Hillmon added 10 points.

Washington’s Efforts

For Washington, Sonia Citron scored 25 points, and Kiki Iriafen made history within the franchise with a first-half double-double in a playoff game, scoring 15 points and securing 16 rebounds. Despite Atlanta’s lead of 41-28 late in the first half, Washington closed on a 7-0 run, with Citron’s buzzer-beating shot.

The Mystics faced challenges due to 11 first-half turnovers. They initiated a comeback with a 14-2 run starting in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to 65-62. However, Atlanta responded swiftly, scoring 13 consecutive points, capped by Canada’s 3-pointer, restoring their double-digit lead to 78-62.

This playoff appearance marked Washington’s first since their victory in the 2019 WNBA championship.