The Atlanta Dream officially secured a postseason berth following a 99-89 victory against the Phoenix Mercury in Arizona. Led by a career-best 31 points from Angel Reese, the win moves Atlanta into a strong position for the fourth seed.
Angel Reese's 31-point career high in Phoenix
Angel Reese delivered a historic performance at the Mortgage Matchup Center, scoring a career-high 31 points to lead the Atlanta Dream to victory. According to the game report , Reese also secured 14 rebounds, marking her 25th double-double of the season.
This performance represents a significant jump from Reese's previous career high of 27 points, which she recorded as a rookie with the Chicago team in 2024. Reese was highly efficient during the contest, shooting 14 of 21 from the field, which stands in contrast to her 43% shooting average for the season. By dominating the boards and the scoring column, Reese has already set the Atlanta single-season record for double-doubles.
Rhyne Howard and a 14-3 start fuel the Dream
The Atlanta Dream (24-13) utilized a blistering start to establish control early in the game, leading 14-3 less than four minutes into the matchup. Rhyne Howard was instrumental in this opening surge, hitting four 3-pointers to help Atlanta build a 29-18 lead after the first quarter.
As reported by the AP, the Dream have found significant momentum heading into the postseason, having won five of their last six games. This recent success, bolstered by 17 points from Allisha Gray and 12 from Jordin Canada, has allowed the team to pull a half-game ahead of Indiana for the fourth playoff seed.
Kahleah Copper's 38-point night and the Mercury's elimination
Despite a massive scoring effort from Kahleah Copper, who tallied 38 points, the Phoenix Mercury (13-24) were officially eliminated from playoff contention. The Mercury, who were participants in the WNBA Finals last season, struggled to maintain their lead despite a strong third-quarter rally where they made 13 of 22 shots .
The Mercury's performance was highlighted by a triple-double from Alyssa Thomas, who recorded 11 points,16 rebounds, and 10 assists. DeWanna Bonner also contributed 12 points, but the effort was not enough to overcome the early deficit created by the Atlanta Dream's offnsive efficiency.
Can Atlanta hold off Indiana in the final seven games?
With only seven games remaining in the regular season, the primary question is whether the Atlanta Dream can maintain their current momentum to secure the fourth seed. While the report details the statistical dominance of the players, it leaves unanswered how the Dream's coaching staff will adjust their defensive schemes for the intensity of the playoffs.
Furthermore, the report focuses heavily on the Atlanta victory, leaving the strategic outlook for the Mercury's final games against Washington largely unaddressed.. It remains to be seen if Phoenix can finish the season with any meaningful consistency now that their postseason aspirations have been extinguished.
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