Atlanta Dream vs. New York Liberty: Match Preview

Atlanta — The Atlanta Dream will face the New York Liberty at the Gateway Center on Sunday at 3 p.m. The Dream have struggled as of late as they are 1-4 in their last five games.

This will be the second clash of the season between Atlanta and New York. New York beat Atlanta 78-61 in the first game. The Dream currently sit in seventh place in the WNBA standings with a 6-8 record.

Rhyne Howard has officially been ruled out for the second game in a row. The Dream will likely start the same starters in the final game with Haley Jones, Allisha Gray, Nia Coffey, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus and Tina Charles.

Gray needs 22 points to reach 3,000 points in his career. She has been an integral part of the offense this season. Coffey is also on the cusp of a major milestone as she has 11 points out of 1,000 career points. Charles is averaging 13.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per game as the veteran continues to play a key role in the Dream. In the last game, Charles scored a game-high 24 points.

New York has one of the best records in the league as they enter the game with a 13-3 record. They currently sit in second place in the WNBA rankings. New York has four players averaging over 12 points per game. Breanna Stewart is the leading scorer averaging 19.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. She had 33 points in their last game against the Sparks.

Sabrina Ionescu is the team’s second-leading scorer at 18.6 points per game. Veteran forward Jonquel Jones is also having a good season as she averages 17.1 points per game. Finally, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton averages 12.1 points per game.

The Dream will look to implement their offensive strategy which revolves around fast-paced, fast-paced play. With dynamic players like Gray and Charles, the Dream aims to push the ball in transition and capitalize on counterattack opportunities. In the half court, they will rely on pick-and-roll plays and off-ball moves to create scoring opportunities.

Defensively, the Dream will focus on defending under pressure and forcing turnovers. Head coach Tanisha Wright’s emphasis on defensive intensity is designed to disrupt opponents’ offensive rhythm and generate scoring opportunities on defense. The team’s ability to seamlessly pass shots on defense and contests will be key to their success in the game.