Atlanta Dream’s Winning Streak and Future Prospects

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The Atlanta Dream extended their winning streak to four games with a victory over the Toronto Tempo on Monday night. This streak began on June 14 with a dominant 102-77 win against the Tempo in Toronto. The team also achieved back-to-back victories over the Indiana Fever, featuring a hard-fought 108-101 win in Atlanta and a record-setting 113-96 triumph on Saturday.

Key Performances

Rhyne Howard led the team with 24 points, while Allisha Gray contributed 22. Naz Hillmon added 19 points, and Jordin Canada came close to a double-double, scoring 12 points along with 12 assists and seven rebounds. Angel Reese scored 18 points and secured eight rebounds, setting a WNBA record for reaching 1,000 career rebounds fastest.

Current Standings

The victory improved Atlanta’s record to 11-4 for the season, placing them first in the Eastern Conference with a .733 winning percentage. Only the Minnesota Lynx hold a better league-wide record at 13-4. Angel Reese expressed optimism about the team’s future, highlighting their potential improvement with the return of Brionna Jones.

Praise from Reese: “In June, we looked so great. I’m just wondering what it will be like in October and September. We don’t even have Brionna Jones back yet. All five starters are consistently scoring in double figures, and our bench is excellent. Coach Karl Smesko and the fans are amazing too.”

Season Highlights

The Dream have defeated top teams like the Lynx, Dallas Wings, and Fever twice each. They also triumphed over the Tempo, Portland Fire, and Washington Mystics, all potential playoff contenders. Reese noted the impact of Brionna Jones, a four-time WNBA All-Star, who has yet to play this season due to a torn meniscus.

Prospects with Brionna Jones

Reese, a dominant player in Chicago, has continued her impressive form in Atlanta. She currently averages a career-high 15.3 points and leads the league with 11.9 rebounds per game. If Atlanta maintains its momentum and successfully reintegrates Jones by September, they could become a formidable force in the playoffs.