Dream’s Win Streak Snapped in 80-78 Loss to Seattle

The Atlanta Dream’s six-game win streak came to an end Saturday night, falling 80-78 to the Seattle Storm in the second half of a back-to-back matchup. With the loss, Atlanta dropped to 1-1 with the starting lineup of Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, Maya Caldwell, Naz Hillmon, and Brionna Jones, and their all-time record against Seattle moved to 20-26 overall.

Despite the loss, it was a historic night for the Dream. With her first three-pointer of the game, Rhyne Howard became the franchise’s all-time leader in career three-pointers made. In just her fourth season, Howard now holds the top spot with 326, passing Tiffany Hayes. Howard led Atlanta in scoring with 21 points, along with two rebounds and a block.

Allisha Gray also reached a career milestone, officially joining the WNBA’s 4,000 Career Point Club with her ninth point of the night. She becomes the 22nd player in league history to tally 4,000 points and 400 made threes. Gray finished with 12 points, five rebounds, and a team-high four assists.

Brionna Jones fueled the Dream’s inside game, recording her 10th double-double of the season with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists. Brittney Griner chipped in on both ends of the court with 10 points, three rebounds, and three blocks, marking her 15th double-digit scoring performance of the season.

Atlanta finished with four players in double figures: Howard (21), Jones (18), Gray (12), and Griner (10).

Jones opened the game with an early bucket in the paint before Gray, Hillmon, and Griner each added inside scoring to give Atlanta momentum. Howard connected from deep late in the quarter, helping the Dream edge ahead 21-20 after the first.

Griner powered the second quarter with a strong finish, while Hillmon converted on the offensive glass. Paopao drained her first three-pointer of the game, and Jones and Gray kept the offense rolling with consistent scoring at the rim. Howard, Gray, and Jones combined for nearly two-thirds of Atlanta’s first-half points as the Dream carried their offensive rhythm into the break.

The third quarter saw Howard take control, accounting for 60% of the Dream’s scoring while Atlanta continued to thrive at the free throw line, hitting 81.3% from the stripe.

Jones sparked the fourth with back-to-back buckets inside, and the Dream built an 11-0 run fueled by Jones, Gray, and Griner. Coffey tied the game with her first points before Griner put Atlanta ahead with a bucket in the lane. Howard appeared to seal the momentum with clutch free throws down the stretch, sinking all three attempts after being fouled on a three-pointer. She added two more at the line in the final minutes, but Seattle managed to edge back in front.

Atlanta outscored Seattle 23-18 in the fourth quarter, but the Storm held on for the narrow 80-78 victory, ending the Dream’s streak.

The Dream will face the Golden State Valkyries today at 10:00 p.m. at Chase Center.