Dream Edge Falls Short in 77-75 Loss to Golden State Valkyries

The Atlanta Dream came up just short in a nail-biting finish Tuesday night, falling 77-75 to the Golden State Valkyries at Gateway Center Arena. The loss dropped Atlanta to 15-11 on the season and evened the all-time series with Golden State at 1-1.

Jordin Canada led the Dream with a stellar performance, tallying 21 points and a team-high eight assists. It marked her third 20-point outing of the season and her 11th double-digit scoring game. Naz Hillmon added 14 points and led the team in rebounds for the second straight contest, notching her 11th game this season in double figures. Allisha Gray contributed 12 points, six rebounds, and three steals, continuing her remarkable streak of 25 straight games scoring in double digits. Maya Caldwell chipped in nine points while providing a defensive spark with four steals, and Brittney Griner added key baskets to keep Atlanta in the fight.

The Dream’s starting lineup of Canada, Gray, Caldwell, Brionna Jones, and Griner moved to 3-3 when playing together this season.

Atlanta came out strong in the first quarter, fueled by early free throws from Gray and Griner. Caldwell’s defensive intensity set the tone with a pair of quick steals, while Hillmon and Te-Hina Paopao chipped in from beyond the arc. Canada closed the frame with two made free throws, helping the Dream shoot a perfect 100 percent from the line in the opening period.

The second quarter saw the Dream catch fire from deep, with Caldwell and Gray knocking down back-to-back threes. Canada’s long-range shooting and a late push from Jones kept Atlanta within striking distance, and a Caldwell triple followed by a Gray free throw capped off a 10-2 run to tie the game 39-39 at halftime.

Canada took over in the third quarter, connecting on back-to-back threes to reclaim the lead, while Griner powered her way inside for a three-point play. The two combined for 11 points in the period, setting up a dramatic fourth quarter.

In the final frame, Canada provided a momentum swing with a four-point play to start things off. Hillmon followed with five straight points, including a smooth three-pointer, before Gray buried a deep shot to cut into the Valkyries’ lead. Canada’s and-one late in the quarter briefly gave Atlanta the edge, but Golden State answered down the stretch. A Canada free throw provided the Dream’s last points of the night before the Valkyries sealed the narrow two-point victory.

Atlanta now turns its attention to bouncing back as the season pushes deeper into the playoff race, looking to build on the offensive rhythm shown in this back-and-forth battle. The Dream will head on the road to take on the Dallas Wings today, July 30, at 8:00 p.m. On Friday, August 1, the team will face the Phoenix Mercury.