Lights Out: Dream Fall to Minnesota 96-92 in Overtime

Despite a hard-fought battle that included a brief power outage at Gateway Center Arena during the first half, the Atlanta Dream fell to the Minnesota Lynx 96-92 in overtime on Friday night. Head coach Karl Smesko remained optimistic about his team’s execution, noting their resilience through adversity.

Atlanta started Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Brionna Jones, and Brittney Griner, moving to 5-4 with that lineup. The loss shifts the Dream’s all-time record against Minnesota to 12-32 overall, including 7-15 at home.

All five starters scored in double figures, and six players finished in double digits for the first time since 2023: Hillmon 10, Canada 14, Gray 17, Griner 16, Jones 18, Howard 15.

Allisha Gray reached a career milestone, eclipsing 1,200 rebounds while finishing with 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. Rhyne Howard delivered an all-around performance with 15 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals. Brittney Griner passed Sancho Lyttle for 14th on the WNBA’s all-time defensive rebounds list (1,855), adding 16 points and 8 boards.

Griner opened scoring with a hook shot assisted by Canada, and Howard followed with a quick bucket. Griner and Howard combined for all of Atlanta’s early points until Brionna Jones scored in the paint. Te-Hina Paopao added a crafty layup to cut into Minnesota’s lead, and Griner ended the first quarter a perfect 3-for-3 from the field with 8 points.

Canada opened the second quarter with a bucket, followed by strong finishes inside from Griner and Jones. Howard nailed the Dream’s first three-pointer before assisting Gray on the next possession. Naz Hillmon added a smooth layup to fuel a Dream run. Gray shot a perfect 3-for-3 in the quarter, including a three-pointer to pull Atlanta within six, as the team closed the gap with a 14-3 run before halftime.

The Dream surged out of halftime, reclaiming the lead with six quick points from Griner and Jones. Jones added six more to reach 16 points mid-quarter as Atlanta locked down defensively, holding Minnesota to just six points halfway through the frame. Canada capped a steal with a fast-break layup to extend the lead to six.

Howard opened the fourth with a go-ahead layup. Hillmon nailed her first three-pointer, then followed with a layup to give Atlanta a four-point edge. Canada’s ninth steal tied the Dream’s season high before she added a tough layup, reaching her season-high 14 points and putting Atlanta up by seven. Hillmon added another triple, but Jones had to tie the game in the final moments to force overtime.

In overtime, Griner knocked down two free throws to start the extra period, and Howard recorded the team’s 10th steal, setting a new season high. Gray kept Atlanta within striking distance with a clutch bucket, but Minnesota ultimately sealed the win, 96-92.

Despite the loss, the Dream showed flashes of their potential with balanced scoring and defensive intensity. They’ll look to build on these positives as they continue their homestand Sunday when they take on the New York Liberty.