Dream Storm Back for Statement Win in Seattle, 94-87

SEATTLE, WA — The Atlanta Dream continued their red-hot start to the season Friday night, overcoming a 17-point deficit to defeat the Seattle Storm 94-87 at Climate Pledge Arena. The win improved Atlanta to 5-2 — their best start through seven games since 2016 — and snapped an eight-game losing streak in Seattle.

The Dream rolled out a new starting five of Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, Maya Caldwell, Brionna Jones, and Brittney Griner. The change paid immediate dividends, moving the lineup to 1-0 and giving the franchise its first undefeated West Coast trip, which also included a win in Phoenix. Atlanta’s all-time record against Seattle now stands at 19-24, including a 6-16 mark in Seattle.

Trailing by 11 at halftime, the Dream roared back with a dominant second half, outscoring the Storm 60-42. The comeback was driven by a 27-9 run that spanned the third and fourth quarters. Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray lit up the scoreboard, combining for 61 points — 40 of which came in the second half. Howard led all scorers with 33 points, while Gray’s 28 marked a new career high. The duo became just the eighth in franchise history to each post 25+ points in the same game and the first to combine for over 55 points since July 2023.

Brionna Jones added 15 points, powering through defenders with and-one finishes, while Naz Hillmon delivered a huge performance off the bench with 11 points, a team-best seven rebounds, and a game-high +24 plus/minus. Gray led a third-quarter surge with 12 points, including back-to-back and-ones that trimmed the deficit to single digits. Hillmon, Paopao, and Gray combined for eight points in under a minute to make it a one-possession game.

In the fourth quarter, Jones tied the game with a powerful and-one, and Gray gave Atlanta its first lead with clutch free throws after drawing contact from beyond the arc. Howard then knocked down a deep three to stretch the lead, while Gray sealed her record night from the line. Atlanta finished the game having outscored Seattle by 10 points in the final period.

The Dream’s comeback featured a historic milestone — a WNBA-record seven and-ones in a single half, a mark that had stood since 2000. Atlanta also finished with four players in double figures: Howard (33), Gray (28), Jones (15), and Hillmon (11).

Atlanta will look to extend their four-game winning streak when they visit the Connecticut Sun on Friday, June 6, at Mohegan Sun Arena. Tipoff is set for 7:30 PM ET in what will be a key early-season showdown against one of the Eastern Conference’s top contenders.