WNBA Season Precap: Atlanta Dream


Record: 13-12
Playoff Position: 4th seed
Games Remaining: 9

PRECAPS: San Antonio Stars | Connecticut SunDallas Wings | Washington Mystics | Seattle StormPhoenix Mercury | Chicago Sky | Indiana Fever | Atlanta Dream | New York LibertyMinnesota Lynx

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Pre-Break Recap

In a season where the Lynx and Sparks have dominated headlines with their historic starts, the Dream have quietly been consistent all season long besides one six-game losing streak in June. If the season ended today, Atlanta would be awarded a first round bye with the new Playoff format, but they hold just a .5 game lead over the defending Eastern Conference champion Indiana Fever.

Olympian Angel McCoughtry has led the way for the Dream at 18.2 points per game (7th in the league), while Tiffany Hayes has chipped in 14.5 and Elizabeth Williams and Layshia Clarendon are both in double figures as well to form a balanced scoring effort. The Dream have struggled with the 3-ball, as Clarendon is the only player shooting above 30% and team is last in the WNBA at 26.6% on the season. Atlanta gets it done on the glass where they are second in the league in rebounds per game and tied with the Mercury for first in blocks per game. The Dream have three formidable teams nipping at their heels, with Indiana just .5 game back, Chicago 1.5 games back and Phoenix 2.5 games back from the coveted 4th spot in the Playoffs.

Pre-Break Highlight

July 19th: Dream End Sparks’ Chase For History

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Atlanta’s most impressive win of the season came at the expense of history for he Los Angeles Sparks. The Sparks were 20-1 at the time which was tied with the ’98 Houston Comets for the best start in WNBA history. The loss also snapped Los Angeles’ WNBA record nine-game road winning streak to open a season.

Everyone pitched in for Atlanta in the 91-74 victory: Clarendon had 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists, Angel poured in 17, Bria Holmes tied her career-high with 15 and Tiffany Hayes added 14 points. This win can give Atlanta confidence in a potential Playoff matchup with Los Angeles down the line.

3 Standouts
Angel McCoughtry

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Another year and another impressive scoring output from Atlanta’s leading scorer at 18.2 points per game. Angel is staying sharp with Team USA in Rio and will be key as the go-to scorer for the Dream as they try and build momentum and advance in the Playoffs. In wins Angel averages 20.1 points per game on 43.8% from the field, and in losses it drops to 16.1 on just under 40% from the field, illustrating her importance to the team. She also continues to get it done on the defensive end, ranking fourth in the league at 1.6 steals per game.

Elizabeth Williams

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Williams has taken a huge leap in her second year as a pro after spending her rookie year in Connecticut. In an increased role (11.7 to 34.1 minutes per game) her scoring average has jumped from 3.3 to to 11.6, rebounding from 3.2 to 7.6 and blocks from .9 to 2.4 per game, which is second in the WNBA. Williams’ 34.1 minutes per game also tie her with Elena Delle Donne for second in the WNBA. The future is bright for Elizabeth in Atlanta as she looks to continue anchoring their defense and setting the tone in the paint.

Tiffany Hayes

Over her five year career Hayes has been a consistent scorer and versatile player who can fill up the stat sheet, but she is in the midst of a career year in terms of scoring. Her 14.5 points per game is a career high and she has improved her field goal percentage from 39.2 to 45.5 this year, as well her free throw shooting which is at a career high 82% clip. As the second leading scorer on the team it will be imperative for Hayes to continue taking on some of the scoring burden from Angel.

Post-Break Preview

Returning from the Olympic break with a game sure to be circled on their calendar against Chicago, and with two more games remaining against Phoenix, the Dream are in control of their own destiny but will need to play well against veteran teams to secure their first-round bye.

The Dream will get a boost with the potential return of Sancho Lyttle who was originally thought to be out for the season after her injury on July 15th but now is expected to be back when the Dream resume play in late August. At the time of her injury, Lyttle led the league in steals at 2.2 per game and was fifth in rebounds at 8.5 per game. With Lyttle and Williams anchoring the paint and McCoughtry and Hayes on the wings, the Dream will be a tough Playoff matchup for anyone come late September.