In a thrilling match that carried significant implications, the Atlanta Dream delivered a statement win, securing their long-awaited return to the WNBA Playoffs with a commanding 79-68 victory over the Seattle Storm.
This triumph marks the Dream’s ninth playoff appearance, ending a five-year postseason drought and signaling a remarkable resurgence for the franchise. Despite being one of the league’s youngest teams this season, the Dream have crafted a distinctive identity centered around fast-paced, electrifying basketball. Their league-leading pace at 98.85 reflects the high-energy atmosphere that permeates their home games.
For the Dream, this playoff berth represents a pivotal milestone in their transformation under new ownership and leadership. It underscores their unwavering commitment to building a championship-caliber team.
General Manager Dan Padover expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Reaching the playoffs was the next logical step in our journey to become contenders. Our dedicated coaching staff and immensely talented players have delivered on this front. With our youthful and gifted roster, this playoff experience promises invaluable growth for our future.”
Guiding the Atlanta Dream is Head Coach Tanisha Wright, whose coaching accolades include the 2022 AP Coach of the Year and the July 2023 WNBA Coach of the Month. Wright has played an integral role in leading the Dream back to the playoffs after a five-year hiatus.
The Dream’s trio of WNBA All-Stars—Rhyne Howard, Cheyenne Parker, and Allisha Gray—have been instrumental in this resurgence. In 2023, Howard and Gray etched their names into the franchise record books, both surpassing the 600-point mark in a single season, a feat previously unmatched in Dream history. Meanwhile, in her ninth WNBA season, Parker is notching career-best statistics in points (14.9), rebounds (6.9), blocks (1.5), and field goals made (5.8).
The 2023 WNBA Playoffs, presented by Google, are set to commence on September 13. Using a best-of-three series format with seeding determined solely by regular-season records, the playoffs offer the Dream the potential to return to their home court at Gateway for a series-ending showdown.
