Sports

The Atlanta Dream Win Round 1 Of Playoff Matchup Against Washington: Down By 11, Dream Roar Back In Second Half, Stifle Mystics, Win 92-77

By Staff Report / September 28, 2026

The Atlanta Dream roared back from an 11-point deficit to secure a commanding 92-77 victory over the Washington Mystics in Game 1 of their first-round WNBA playoff series on Sunday. A relentless second-half defensive showcase completely shifted the momentum of the game, locking down the Mystics and putting the fourth-seeded Dream just one win away from advancing.

Second-Half Surge

The fifth-seeded Mystics dictated the pace early, leaning on a stellar performance from Sonia Citron, who finished with a team-high 25 points. Washington controlled the paint and capitalized on early transition opportunities to build an 11-point advantage, heading into the locker room ahead 41-36.

The second half, however, belonged entirely to Atlanta.

The Dream ignited a massive surge in the third quarter, outscoring the Mystics 56-36 across the final two frames. DeWanna Bonner provided the spark, scoring 11 of her 13 points in the third period. Atlanta’s full-court pressure completely disrupted Washington’s offense, forcing seven turnovers in the third quarter alone and converting them into 14 quick points while shooting a blistering 62.5% from the field.

Defensive Dominance

Atlanta’s defense made history on Sunday night, racking up a franchise playoff-record 16 steals. The Dream’s active hands and aggressive traps forced Washington into 22 total turnovers, which Atlanta translated into 27 critical points.

Rhyne Howard paced the Dream with a game-high 26 points and anchor-like defense, picking pockets five times and shooting a flawless 10-of-10 from the free-throw line. Allisha Gray provided the perimeter punch with 22 points, while rookie sensation Angel Reese dominated the glass, delivering 13 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double in her WNBA playoff debut.

Looking Ahead

With the 92-77 victory, Atlanta takes a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series. The Dream hope to sweep the series and advance to the semifinals when they head to Washington for Game 2 on Wednesday night.

Check This Out...