Dream Fall to Sun in Commissioner’s Cup Opener Despite Strong Team Effort

The Atlanta Dream debuted a revamped starting lineup of Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Brionna Jones, and Brittney Griner on Tuesday night, falling 84-76 to the Connecticut Sun in their first 2025 Commissioner’s Cup matchup. The loss drops Atlanta to 0-1 in Cup play and with the new lineup.

With the result, the Dream’s all-time record against the Sun moves to 31-34 overall and 11-22 in Connecticut. The game also added $1,000 to the team’s donation total to the Center for Black Women’s Wellness, part of the league’s Commissioner’s Cup initiative.

Naz Hillmon hit a major milestone, appearing in her 115th consecutive game—all with the Dream—marking the second-longest streak in franchise history. She finished with 14 points, continuing her steady presence on both ends of the floor.

Brittney Griner matched her season high with 18 points, while Rhyne Howard also added 18 and led a late scoring push. Despite the loss, Atlanta outperformed Connecticut in key team stats, winning the rebound (29-27), assist (19-17), and block (6-3) categories.

Atlanta started strong, with Allisha Gray knocking down an early three and Brionna Jones and Griner following up to maintain the lead. Howard sparked a 10-2 run to close the first quarter, and the Dream held Connecticut to just 13 points—the Sun’s lowest-scoring opening quarter of the season.

The Dream extended their lead early in the second with a Nia Coffey three and a scoring burst from the bench, including freshman guard Paopao. But Connecticut responded with a late rally to take a 38-37 lead into halftime.

Gray and Howard kept Atlanta in the fight through the third. Hillmon drilled a deep three, Griner poured in nine points, and Howard capped the quarter with a buzzer-beating triple. Gray was involved in nearly 60% of the Dream’s offense during the period, either scoring or assisting on 11 of their 23 points. Still, the Dream entered the fourth down one, 61-60.

Hillmon opened the final quarter with an and-one, and the Dream defense notched three blocks in the period. A late push from Howard and contributions from reserves like Kristy Wallace and Aari McDonald gave Atlanta a chance, but the Sun’s execution in the final minutes sealed the win.

The Dream (5-3) will look to regroup and build chemistry with their new-look starting five when they resume Commissioner’s Cup play on June 20 against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena.