Allisha Gray Leads Dream to Victory Over Wings

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — Allisha Gray scored 27 points, helping the Atlanta Dream defeat the Dallas Wings 83-75 on Saturday at Gateway Center Arena. The win improved the Dream’s record to 2-2 this season, while the Wings fell to 0-4.

Gray’s performance stood out as she tallied 16 points in the second half. She matched her career high, adding five rebounds, three blocks, and surpassing 600 career assists with six assists in the game. “I just be dishin (passes),” Gray said, laughing. “I try to benefit the game anywhere I can, making the extra pass, taking the open shot, and helping set up my teammates.”

Brittney Griner contributed 15 points and eight rebounds, while Brionna Jones recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 11 points and 15 rebounds. The Dream’s bench added 21 points, with Nia Coffey and Maya Caldwell combining for 17.

Caldwell expressed her excitement about her performance, saying, “I’ve been wanting to play in Atlanta, something I asked God for, so he delivered. I’m trying to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Atlanta held an 18-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter. However, the Wings responded with a 12-point run, including six points from Maddy Siegrist, narrowing the Dream’s lead to 68-61. “We just went on a little spell [to start the fourth quarter] where we missed a few (shots) that we would normally make,” said Dream head coach Karl Smesko.

Although the Wings attempted to stage a comeback, a three-pointer from Caldwell pushed the Dream back up by 10 with just over four minutes to play. In the end, key contributions from Coffey, Gray, and Rhyne Howard secured an eight-to-10-point lead for the Dream.

The Dream surged in the third quarter, extending their lead to 48-35 thanks to five consecutive points from Jones. Atlanta’s strong shooting continued, converting 62.5% from the field and 4-of-7 from three-point range.

For the Wings, rookie Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick in the recent WNBA Draft, scored 11 points but struggled, shooting 4-of-15.

Atlanta’s win improved their all-time series record against the Wings to 15-12. The Dream heads into their next match against the Connecticut Sun on Sunday.