In an impressive display, Allisha Gray scored a personal best of 32 points, aiding Atlanta to set a new franchise milestone with 18 three-pointers, leading to their decisive victory over the Washington Mystics, 89-56, on Sunday.
Gray was on fire, hitting 10 of her 14 shots, including 6 of her 9 attempts from beyond the arc. The Dream dominated the three-point game, sinking 18 of their 42 attempts, in stark contrast to Washington’s mere 3 out of 17. Overall, the Mystics struggled offensively, managing just 18 field goals and shooting at a low 29.5% efficiency.
The all-time WNBA record for three-pointers in a game remains at 19, a mark held by the New York Liberty.
Contributing to Atlanta’s success, Rhyne Howard added 14 points to the tally, including four treys, making her the fastest player in WNBA history to achieve 300 career three-pointers. She accomplished this in just 114 games, surpassing Sabrina Ionescu by three games and Diana Taurasi by ten. Te-Hina Paopao also shone by draining four three-pointers to notch a career-high of 16 points, while Naz Hillmon contributed with a double-double, securing 10 points and 11 rebounds. The Dream executed solid teamwork with 24 assists out of their 31 field goals.
Washington found themselves in a bind, unable to find their groove. Sonia Citron stood as the sole Mystic in double figures, scoring 10 points.
Gray’s eight-point burst fueled Atlanta’s explosive start to the second half, with the Dream scoring the initial 16 points. Although Shakira Austin managed a three-point play for the Mystics, Paopao answered with another three-pointer, and Brittney Griner chipped in with her lone basket, extending the Dream’s lead to 66-37.
By halftime, Atlanta led 45-34, largely thanks to Gray’s prowess from behind the arc. The Mystics stumbled midway through the first half, enduring an eight-minute stretch without a field goal, where an early 13-8 advantage quickly flipped into an 18-13 loss.
Looking forward, the Dream are set to face the league-leading New York team on Tuesday, while the Mystics will take on Chicago.
Home Allisha Gray's 32 points, Dream's 3-pointer spree trounce Mystics