Dream Make History with Franchise-Best 24th Win, Roll Past Liberty

The Atlanta Dream didn’t just beat the New York Liberty—they stamped their name in the franchise record books. With a 78-62 win at Gateway Center Arena, Atlanta secured its 24th victory of the season, setting a new high-water mark for wins in a single year, surpassing the previous record of 23 set back in 2018.

Rolling out the starting five of Te-Hina Paopao, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon, and Brionna Jones, the Dream improved to 2-0 with that lineup. The victory also tightened up their all-time record against New York to 25-41, with Atlanta going 13-21 at home and splitting this year’s series 2-2.

Allisha Gray continued her torrid streak, leading Atlanta in scoring for the 16th straight game with 17 points, eight rebounds, and two assists. Brionna Jones was a force down low, matching Gray’s 17 points while grabbing eight boards and dishing two assists. Rookie Te-Hina Paopao stayed sharp from deep, knocking down three triples for all nine of her points, while also adding three assists and a steal in her ninth career start. Hillmon turned in another blue-collar performance, posting 11 points, eight rebounds, and four assists—her 17th game in double figures. Off the bench, Maya Caldwell tied her season high with seven rebounds to go along with seven points, and Howard filled the stat sheet with nine points, eight rebounds, six assists with zero turnovers, and two steals.

From the jump, Atlanta came out firing. Hillmon opened the scoring inside before Gray, Paopao, and Howard sparked the perimeter attack. Defensively, the Dream clamped down, forcing five Liberty turnovers in the first quarter while closing on a 17-6 run to lead 24-14. In the second, Paopao splashed another three, Jones punished New York in the paint, and Hillmon mixed it up with both inside buckets and trips to the line. Atlanta dominated the frame 18-7, carrying a 48-29 advantage into halftime.

The Dream never let up after the break. Paopao and Gray drilled back-to-back threes, Caldwell chipped in at the stripe and around the rim, and Jones continued to own the paint. Howard ran the show with crisp passing, setting up teammates and keeping the pace high. By the end of the third, Atlanta was in full control, up 64-44.

Gray and Jones sealed the deal in the fourth, combining for key scores while Howard buried a dagger from deep to energize the home crowd. Atlanta’s defense stayed locked in, holding New York to just six field goals in the final quarter. A late Griner finish off a Shatori Walker-Kimbrough assist capped the night, as the Dream closed on a 14-6 run to polish off the 78-62 victory.

It was a statement win—balanced, physical, and historic. And now, with a new franchise record in hand, the Dream aren’t slowing down. They’ll be back in action Wednesday, August 27, at home against the Las Vegas Aces. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Gateway Center Arena.