The Atlanta Dream kicked off their season with a thrilling 91-90 victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Saturday night, delivering a dramatic finish that had fans on the edge of their seats. Allisha Gray was the star of the show, pouring in 16 of her game-high 24 points in the second half to lead the comeback. But the real story might be Angel Reese, who made an immediate impact in her Dream debut. Acquired from Chicago in a blockbuster trade on April 6, Reese posted 11 points and 14 rebounds, marking her 50th career double-double in just 65 games—the fastest any player has reached that milestone in WNBA history.
The game was a back-and-forth battle from the start, with Minnesota looking to seize control early. The Lynx got a standout performance from rookie Olivia Miles, the No. 2 pick in the 2026 draft, who tallied 21 points, eight assists, two steals, and two blocks in her WNBA debut. However, the Lynx were without five-time All-Star Napheesa Collier, who is recovering from offseason ankle surgery and is expected to return to on-court activity in early June.
Atlanta found themselves trailing for much of the game, but they refused to back down. With just over two minutes left in the third quarter, the Dream used an 18-4 run to cut Minnesota's lead to 58-57, fueled by relentless defense and timely scoring. Emma Cechova, the Lynx's 6-foot-4 rookie, briefly halted the momentum with a layup and a 3-pointer, but Atlanta kept clawing.
The decisive moment came in the final seconds. Jordin Canada drove the lane for a basket, and Te-Hina Paopao followed with a pull-up jumper to give the Dream their first lead of the game at 91-90 with just 12 seconds remaining. From there, Gray and Reese each blocked a shot to seal the win, showcasing the defensive grit that could define Atlanta's season.
Naz Hillmon and Rhyne Howard each chipped in 15 points, while Canada finished with 12. For Minnesota, Kayla McBride led the way with 18 points, Courtney Williams added 14, and Cechova contributed 12 in a losing effort. The Lynx struggled down the stretch, missing nine consecutive field-goal attempts during Atlanta's pivotal run, but the Dream capitalized to start their season with a statement win.
This opener sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting season, with both teams showing flashes of brilliance. For Atlanta, the combination of Gray's scoring and Reese's rebounding prowess could be a formula for success, while Minnesota will look to regroup once Collier returns to the lineup.