Howard, Gray Lead Dream Past Storm for Sixth Straight Win

The Atlanta Dream continued their post-All-Star break surge, defeating the Seattle Storm 85-75 to notch their sixth consecutive victory. With the win, Atlanta improved to 8-2 since the break and 1-0 with the starting lineup of Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, Maya Caldwell, Naz Hillmon, and Brionna Jones. The Dream also moved their all-time record against Seattle to 20-25 overall and 7-16 on the road.

Howard powered the offense with her seventh game of 20-plus points this season, finishing with 25 points, seven assists, and two steals. She also tied Tiffany Hayes for first place on the Dream’s all-time three-pointers list with 325. Gray, fresh off being named Eastern Conference Player of the Week, delivered her 14th 20-plus point performance and recorded her second double-double of the season (11th of her career) with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and a steal.

Griner made an impact on both ends, tallying 11 points, eight rebounds, and one block while moving past Becky Hammon into 18th place on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list. Caldwell reached double figures in the first half and finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, and one assist, marking her fifth double-digit scoring game of the season.

Atlanta finished with four players in double figures: Howard (25), Gray (22), Griner (11), and Caldwell (10).

Howard opened the game with a driving finish, while Gray added back-to-back baskets and Hillmon knocked down a three to keep pace with Seattle. Griner came off the bench for an early scoring boost, and Caldwell and Howard combined for three triples to extend the lead. The Dream shot 50% from deep and were perfect from the line, leading 24-18 after the first.

Caldwell stayed hot in the second quarter with an early jumper, and Howard added to a 15-5 run with her third field goal. Griner stepped out for a deep jumper, Paopao made a defensive block that led to a Gray three, and Gray later converted an and-one. Caldwell and Gray combined for 20 points and six rebounds in the half. Atlanta led 41-39 at the break, shooting 50% in the paint and 71.4% from the line.

Jones scored back-to-back buckets inside to start the third, followed by finishes from Gray and Howard. Howard set up Gray for a transition three after a steal, and Gray added another triple off a Coffey assist. Howard then drilled three straight from deep to fuel a 20-5 run. Atlanta went perfect from beyond the arc in the quarter and led 68-54 heading into the fourth.

Hillmon opened the final frame with an inside score, and Griner followed with a short jumper. Howard buried her fifth three-pointer, Jones scored inside, and Gray converted another bucket off a Hillmon feed. The Dream kept attacking the paint, with Jones and Hillmon adding late baskets. Atlanta shot a flawless 100% from the line in the quarter and 73.3% overall in the final period to close out the win.

The Dream and Storm will meet again in Seattle tonight, with tipoff set for 10:00 p.m.