Dream Give Fans Plenty to Celebrate in 103-59 Rout of Sun

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — If the Atlanta Dream wanted to give their fans something to celebrate on Fan Appreciation Night, mission accomplished.

The Dream returned from the FIBA World Cup break Thursday night and delivered one of their most dominant performances of the season, rolling past the Connecticut Sun 103-59 at Gateway Center Arena.

Atlanta improved to 27-14 on the season while holding Connecticut to a season-low 59 points allowed by the Dream. Atlanta led 45-35 at halftime before blowing the game wide open after the break, outscoring Connecticut 31-11 in the third quarter and taking a commanding 76-46 advantage into the fourth.

Angel Reese led the way with another monster night, finishing with 30 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two blocks in just under 25 minutes.

Reese shot 11-of-14 from the field and recorded her 30th double-double of the season, extending the WNBA single-season record she established before the World Cup break. It was also Reese’s 12th game of the season with at least 20 points.

But Fan Appreciation Night quickly turned into a milestone celebration for several Dream players.

Rhyne Howard added 10 points, six rebounds, eight assists, four steals and a block while making WNBA history from behind the arc.

With 6:45 remaining in the fourth quarter, Howard knocked down her 129th three-pointer of the season, setting a new WNBA single-season record for made threes. Howard reached the mark in her 40th game, surpassing the previous record established by Sabrina Ionescu in 2023.

Howard’s impact was not limited to offense. Her four steals continued what has been an outstanding defensive season and pushed her further up Atlanta’s franchise record books.

Allisha Gray added another piece of Dream history of her own.

Gray scored 10 points with six rebounds and five assists. A first-quarter layup gave her her 774th point of the season, officially breaking the Atlanta Dream single-season scoring record she established last year. Gray now owns the two highest-scoring individual seasons in franchise history.

Naz Hillmon got in on the history-making night as well. Hillmon finished with nine points, six rebounds, three assists and one steal while knocking down three shots from beyond the arc. Her first three-pointer of the night, coming with 6:24 remaining in the opening quarter, marked the 100th three-pointer of her WNBA career.

Atlanta received contributions from nearly everywhere. Te-Hina Pao-Pao and rookie Madina Okot each scored 10 points, giving the Dream five players in double figures alongside Reese, Howard and Gray. The Dream’s bench accounted for 39 points as Atlanta’s depth helped turn a competitive first half into a runaway victory.

Atlanta started Jordin Canada, Gray, Howard, Hillmon and Reese, a group that has become the foundation of the Dream’s success this season. Canada added five points and helped Atlanta control the game on both ends.

The Dream’s defense may have been just as impressive as its offense.

Connecticut shot just 35.4 percent from the field and made only three of its 20 attempts from three-point range. The 59 points were the fewest Atlanta has surrendered in a game this season, topping its previous defensive low of 66 points allowed against Portland on May 29.

Atlanta also improved its all-time series advantage over Connecticut, adding another victory to a matchup that has stretched across nearly two decades.

Most importantly, the Dream looked refreshed coming out of the international break and showed exactly what a team preparing for postseason basketball wants to show down the stretch — depth, defense and stars making history.

Reese dominated inside. Gray rewrote her own franchise record. Hillmon reached a career milestone, and Howard put her name atop the WNBA record book.

Not bad for Fan Appreciation Night. The Dream won’t have much time to celebrate. Atlanta returns to action Saturday, Sept. 19, when the Chicago Sky visit State Farm Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET as the Dream continue their final push toward the WNBA playoffs.