Balanced Attack Lifts Dream to 79-63 Road Win Over Valkyries

The Atlanta Dream bounced back in a big way, taking down the Golden State Valkyries 79-63 on the road to keep momentum rolling late in the season. With the win, Atlanta improved to 2-1 with the starting lineup of Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, Maya Caldwell, Naz Hillmon, and Brionna Jones, while moving their all-time record against Golden State to 2-1 overall and 1-0 away from home. The Dream are now 8-2 in their last 10 contests, including a 4-1 mark on their current road trip.

Howard led the charge with 14 points, five rebounds, and six assists – her ninth time pacing the team in scoring and 10th game this year as assist leader. Jones controlled the paint with 13 points, nine boards, and two assists, marking her 13th game as the Dream’s top rebounder and 23rd double-digit scoring effort. Eastern Conference Player of the Week Allisha Gray stayed consistent, putting up 13 points, three rebounds, and four assists in her 15th double-digit game of the season.

Hillmon chipped in 12 points, five rebounds, and an assist, notching her 16th game with at least 10 points. Rookie Te-Hina Paopao was huge off the bench, delivering 10 points, two rebounds, and four assists in her eighth game this season hitting double figures. Atlanta ultimately had five players in double digits: Howard (14), Jones (13), Gray (13), Hillmon (12), and Paopao (10).

Paopao gave the Dream an instant spark in the opening quarter, knocking down a three right off the bench. Griner and Coffey kept the offense flowing, with the second unit combining for nine of the first 10 points. Jones capped the first frame with a finish inside, as Atlanta clawed back to tie things up.

The second quarter saw the Dream’s defense clamp down, holding Golden State to a season opponent-low 10 points. Paopao opened the frame with a layup, Howard settled in with a deep ball, and Griner muscled her way to back-to-back scores. Paopao added another finish at the rim as the bench kept rolling, pouring in 17 of Atlanta’s 25 points in the quarter. A late Valkyries basket tied things at 25 apiece heading into halftime.

Atlanta came out firing in the third, with Gray opening at the line and Jones attacking inside. Hillmon converted off a Paopao feed before Gray caught fire, knocking down two from beyond the arc. A Jones steal set up Paopao for her second triple, and Howard capped the quarter with a dagger three at the buzzer, finishing off a 20-6 run. Gray scored 12 of the Dream’s 28 points in the period, helping Atlanta build a 53-43 advantage.

Howard picked up right where she left off in the fourth, sinking her third triple of the night. Hillmon added a pair from the line, and Caldwell finally got on the board with her first basket, sparking a massive 30-8 run. Howard stayed hot from deep, Gray dished out key assists, and Jones and Hillmon kept pounding the paint to extend the lead. Atlanta closed out the win shooting 83.3% at the line and scoring 75% of their fourth-quarter points inside.

It was a balanced effort, a defensive clinic, and another statement win on the road as the Dream topped Golden State 79-63.

Next up, our Dream head to Vegas, baby, for a heavyweight matchup against the Aces tomorrow night. Tipoff is set for 10:00 p.m. EST.