Dream hold off Lynx 75-73 behind Gray’s 27
Allisha Gray poured in 27 points to pace the Atlanta Dream to a 75-73 comeback win over the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday night in College Park, Georgia. Rhyne Howard added 16 for Atlanta, which improved to 23-13 and tied its 2018 franchise mark with 23 victories. Minnesota, meanwhile, slipped to 28-7 after consecutive losses.
Key moments and players:
– Gray sparked Atlanta’s decisive 12-0 run with a four-point play that put the Dream ahead 66-60 with 6:05 left in the fourth quarter.
– Minnesota, which started the final frame 0-for-6 from the field, crawled within 73-71 on a 3-pointer by Alanna Smith with 48.9 seconds remaining.
– A coach’s challenge led to a backcourt violation on Atlanta, before Smith’s attempt in the lane rolled off and Maya Caldwell hit two free throws to push the lead back to four.
– The Lynx had one last chance, but an eight-second violation with 12.6 seconds left sealed Atlanta’s win. Courtney Williams then missed a layup and Minnesota turned the ball over on the inbound as time expired.
Supporting performances:
– Kayla McBride finished with 15 points for Minnesota, while Smith added 10. Bridget Carleton contributed 16 points, and Jessica Shepard had 15 points and 16 rebounds.
– Napheesa Collier missed her sixth straight game due to a right ankle injury, continuing Minnesota’s battle without one of its top stars.
What it means:
– For Atlanta, the victory reinforces the Dream’s resilience as they chase playoff positioning. Gray’s 15th 20-point game of the season highlighted a night where Atlanta leaned on its star guard late and found just enough defense to hold on.
– Minnesota’s setback marks the first time this season the Lynx have dropped back-to-back games. They’ll regroup with Collier’s status a continuing consideration as they head toward the stretch run.
Additional context:
– The win came after Minnesota’s earlier loss to New York on Tuesday, highlighting a rough patch for the Lynx despite their strong regular-season record.
– The game featured a number of late-game twists, including a critical backcourt violation call that affected the final minutes and helped swing the momentum in Atlanta’s favor.
Summary:
– A tightly contested finish saw Grey’s scoring and Atlanta’s late-run defense tip the scales in a 75-73 win over Minnesota, resulting in Atlanta tying its single-season franchise win mark and deepening Minnesota’s recent skid while Napheesa Collier continues to sit out. Positive notes for the Dream include another strong scoring night from Gray and a productive late push to seal the victory.