The Atlanta Dream won just four games last season, but an infusion of talent has increased expectations. That's especially the case with the return of Chamique Holdsclaw to the WNBA.

Holdsclaw plays her first game in the league in two years Saturday night when her new-look Dream open the season with a visit by Tamika Catchings and the Indiana Fever.

Atlanta went 4-30 last season, setting a league record by losing its first 17 games. The dismal debut campaign caused general manager Marynell Meadors to overhaul her roster, and she began by talking to Holdsclaw, who retired after playing just five games for Los Angeles in 2007.

Holdsclaw had moved to Atlanta two years before the city received a WNBA franchise.

"Everyone knows Chamique," Meadors said. "I would go up and talk to her, welcome her to the games, and she would say, 'You need some finishers. I'm a finisher.' So I told her, 'Let me know when you're ready to put on an Atlanta Dream uniform.'"

Holdsclaw never actually cited a reason for her abrupt retirement from the league. She had knee problems two years ago and also disclosed that in 2004 she was suffering from clinical depression while playing with Washington.

Her reputation suffered because some felt she was faking an injury while with the Sparks. She said she has been diagnosed with chronic tendinitis and has been getting special treatment for her knees.

The six-time All-Star is excited about getting a fresh start after signing a three-year deal with Atlanta.

"This is like a new beginning for me," Holdsclaw said. "I'm just going to go out there and have some fun. I really mean that."

She should have plenty of help as Atlanta selected Louisville star Angel McCoughtry with the first pick in the WNBA draft and also added a pair of former Houston Comets in Sancho Lyttle and Michelle Snow.

It's ironic that Holdsclaw's return will come against Catchings, a five-time All-Star who she has been compared to in the past. Catchings missed the first nine games last season while still recovering from a right Achilles' tear suffered in the 2007 playoffs, and averaged career lows of 13.3 points and 39.1 percent shooting in 2008.

The Fever went 17-17 last year and lost in the first round of the playoffs to Detroit. They have never advanced to the finals but are hopeful that a healthy Catchings, along with veterans Katie Douglas and Tammy Sutton-Brown, can help them get over the hump this year.

"I feel with this team and the players that we have here, we're in that position," Catchings said.

The Fever went 2-1 against the Dream last season. Catchings missed the first meeting before averaging 19.0 points and 11.0 rebounds in the next two.