Fire Rally Past Dream 95-88 Despite Career Night from Okot

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — The Atlanta Dream couldn’t build on the momentum from Thursday’s win, falling 95-88 to the Portland Fire on Saturday afternoon at Gateway Center Arena.

Despite placing all five starters in double figures and receiving a career-best performance from rookie Madina Okot, the Dream were unable to overcome a strong second-half surge from the expansion Fire. The loss evens Atlanta’s all-time series with Portland at 1-1 and marks the Dream’s first home loss to the Fire.

Okot continued her impressive rookie campaign, scoring a career-high 19 points while grabbing eight rebounds and adding a block. She provided a consistent inside presence throughout the afternoon and gave Atlanta a spark offensively.

Allisha Gray led the Dream with 20 points, marking her 10th game this season with 20 or more points. Naz Hillmon added 15 points and eight rebounds while making franchise history. With her first point of the game, Hillmon passed Brittney Sykes to move into 10th place on the Atlanta Dream’s all-time scoring list.

Jordin Canada continued her outstanding season, recording her fifth double-double with 10 points and 12 assists, the most double-doubles by any guard in the WNBA this season. Canada also surpassed the 1,300-career assist milestone and now has 162 assists through 23 games, moving past Lindsey Harding for the second-most assists in a single season in Dream history. Only Layshia Clarendon, with 226 assists, has recorded more.

Rhyne Howard contributed 10 points, four assists, and four steals, while Sika Koné provided a valuable lift off the bench with a season-high 11 points and five rebounds.

Atlanta’s starting lineup of Canada, Gray, Howard, Hillmon, and Okot dropped to 0-2 together this season despite each finishing in double figures.

The Dream battled throughout the afternoon but was unable to slow Portland’s offense down the stretch as the visitors pulled away late to hand Atlanta a tough loss at home.

Up Next: The Dream remain at Gateway Center Arena to host the Los Angeles Sparks on Monday, July 13. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET as Atlanta looks to bounce back in front of its home crowd.