The Atlanta Dream got their first warmup before the start of the 2024 season with a preseason match against the Washington Mystics. The Dream shot 50.8% from the field and 45.5% behind the arc. The hosts started Hayley Jones, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Tina Charles, and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus.
The starting five produced 28 of the total 87 points for the Dream, leaving a whopping 59 points for the bench. After a slow start in the first half, the hosts were able to turn things around in the second.
Aerial Powers and Taja Cole led Atlanta with nine points apiece. Khadijiah Cave and Khaalia Hillsman led the Dream with five rebounds. Cole also had a team-leading six assists.
Myisha Hines-Allen led the Mystics with 13 points, followed by Ariel Atkins with 10 points. Julie Vanloo led the match with eight assists. The visitors saw both of their rookie draft picks Aaliyah Edwards and Kaylynne Truong take the floor. Edwards tallied six points across 15 minutes and Truong managed three points over eight minutes.
Dream fans will have to wait to see their trio of picks from the draft as all three will be unavailable this season. For clarification, Nyadiew Puoch, Isobel Borlase, and Matilde Villa will not be playing with the Dream for the 2024 season. General Manager Dan Padover confirmed this at the beginning of training camp.
The final score in Atlanta’s first preseason victory was 87-84. Jordin Canada wasn’t available (injury) but we saw good work out of veteran Tina Charles and a solid performance out of recent signee Destanni Henderson, who was just signed to a training camp contract.
The Dream will travel to Indiana for its second and final preseason game on May 9, at 7:00 p.m. EST. Atlanta’s home opener is set for May 21, at 7:30 p.m. EST against the Dallas Wings.
-Jon Jones
Photos: Courtesy of Dale Zanine/NBAE via Getty Images
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