Trailing the Minnesota Lynx by 19 points midway through the third quarter, the Atlanta Dream appeared on the verge of beginning the 2023 WNBA season at a dispiriting 0-2.
But then Naz Hillmon, flashing some of the star-level scoring she showed at Michigan, captained a burst that cut Minnesota’s margin to nine points by the start of the game’s final period. While Hillmon attacked her way to nine points in the latter portion of the third quarter, Allisha Gray showed why Atlanta was so eager to acquire her in the fourth, scoring eight of her career-high-tying 26 points to secure the comeback win.
Previously-elusive hot shooting by the Dream, along with Napheesa Collier fouling out with 2:23 remaining, also aided Atlanta’s efforts. Once Collier exited, Minnesota failed to score, allowing Atlanta to get away with some sloppy play down the stretch yet still complete the franchise-record comeback.
The Dream’s overall performance against the Lynx, in combination with their opening loss against the Dallas Wings, exposed some underlying issues that Atlanta must be intentional about improving upon if they are to meet expectations. At the same time, the Dream also demonstrated reasons to be optimistic about their ability to approach those lofty expectations.
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