Phoenix, AZ — The Atlanta Dream secured a narrow 88-85 victory over the Phoenix Mercury in a tightly contested matchup at the Footprint Center on May 18, 2024. Atlanta’s Allisha Gray led the team with 22 points, six rebounds, and two blocks, while Rhyne Howard added 21 points and nine rebounds. Crystal Dangerfield contributed eight crucial points in the third quarter, helping the Dream rally from a first-half deficit. The win improves the Dream’s record to 2-1, while the Mercury fall to 1-2.
The Mercury, led by Kahleah Copper’s game-high 38 points, dominated early, finishing the first quarter ahead 24-15. Despite trailing by six at halftime, the Dream outscored the Mercury 22-19 in the second quarter and continued to chip away at the lead in the third. Atlanta’s persistence paid off in the fourth quarter with a 10-2 run that cut the deficit to one point. Gray’s defensive efforts and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus’s go-ahead layup were pivotal in securing Atlanta’s first lead of the game.
Head Coach Tanisha Wright praised the team’s improved energy and fight in the second half. “I’m hoping that we take this loss, and we learn from it, right? We understand that we can’t have the start that we need to have,” Wright said. Allisha Gray emphasized the importance of defensive focus, while Crystal Dangerfield highlighted the team’s ability to push the pace and capitalize on opportunities. The Dream’s all-time record against Phoenix now stands at 13-27, including 3-17 in Phoenix.
Box Score
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 15 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 88 |
| Phoenix | 24 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 85 |
Game Leaders
Atlanta
- Points: Allisha Gray (22)
- Rebounds: Rhyne Howard (9)
- Assists: Haley Jones (5)
Phoenix
- Points: Kahleah Copper (38)
- Rebounds: Natasha Mack (11)
- Assists: Natasha Cloud (5)