The Atlanta Dream entered the matchup against the Toronto Tempo with a clear intent to assert dominance, and from the opening tip they set a relentless pace that left the opposition scrambling.
Reese’s Rebound Mastery
Angel Reese emerged as the centerpiece of the Dream’s interior presence, finishing with 15 points and a career‑high 17 rebounds. Eleven of those boards came on the offensive end, just one shy of the WNBA single‑game record and enough to shift the momentum decisively in Atlanta’s favor.
Allisha Gray complemented Reese’s effort with 26 points and seven assists, while Rhyne Howard added 24 points and three blocks. Rookie Isobel Borlase also contributed a career‑high 17 points, underscoring the depth of the Dream’s roster.
Atlanta’s second‑quarter explosion proved pivotal. The Dream outscored the Tempo 34‑14 in that period, marking their highest‑scoring quarter of the season and turning a modest lead into a comfortable cushion.
The Tempo’s Isabelle Harrison, who had contributed 17 points before being ejected for a flagrant foul, could not contain the Dream’s onslaught. Julie Allemand’s 13 points, six assists, two steals and two blocks kept Toronto within striking distance early, but the Dream’s firepower proved overwhelming.
Beyond the star performances, the game featured notable milestones. Gray’s five three‑pointers moved her past Angel McCoughtry into third place on the franchise’s all‑time three‑point list, while Howard extended her franchise‑record tally of career three‑pointers to 408.
The victory also highlighted the Tempo’s injury concerns, as Nyara Sabally missed her second consecutive game due to a hamstring issue, further thinning Toronto’s options.
Implications for the Playoff Race
With this win, the Atlanta Dream solidify their position near the top of the standings, while the Toronto Tempo will need to regroup quickly to stay competitive in the Eastern Conference. The performances of Reese, Gray and Howard not only boost the Dream’s win total but also reinforce their reputation as a formidable postseason contender.