The Atlanta Dream closed out their final home game of the regular season in record-breaking fashion, taking down the Connecticut Sun 87-62 to etch their names in the history books. Behind a balanced team effort, the Dream notched their 29th win of the year — the most in franchise history — finishing the regular season with a strong 16-6 mark at home.
This win didn’t just make history for the team. Head Coach Karl Smesko collected his 29th victory of the season, surpassing Michael Cooper’s 28-win record set back in 2000 to become the winningest first-year head coach in WNBA history.
Rhyne Howard continued her hot streak, leading Atlanta with 18 points, five rebounds, and six assists. It marked her sixth straight game as the team’s leading scorer and her fifth time this season doubling up as the assist leader. Allisha Gray added 15 points and six boards, while Naz Hillmon kept her starting streak alive with 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Off the bench, Maya Caldwell gave the Dream a spark, scoring 11 points and snagging three steals while also reaching a milestone of 500 career points. Brittney Griner held it down in the paint, chipping in 10 points, two rebounds, and three blocks to match her season high.
The Dream got off to a fast start with a 17-6 run fueled by Howard, Hillmon, and Jones before taking a slim 26-24 lead into the second quarter. The Sun kept it tight through halftime, but once the third quarter hit, Atlanta took complete control. Howard dropped 11 points in the period, including three triples, while Canada and Gray attacked inside. The Dream’s defense also locked in, holding Connecticut to just nine points in the quarter and stretching the lead to 16 heading into the fourth.
From there, Atlanta never looked back. Gray opened the final quarter with five straight points, Caldwell stayed aggressive with back-to-back finishes, and Paopao’s three-pointer sealed the night as the Dream pushed the margin past 25. By the final buzzer, Atlanta fans were on their feet celebrating an 87-62 win and a brand-new franchise record for victories.
The Dream, now locked into playoff mode, will face the Sun again on the road in Connecticut on Wednesday, September 10, to close out the regular season.
