The loss drops Atlanta to 4-3.
In a challenging matchup on Sunday afternoon, the Atlanta Dream faced off against a formidable Connecticut Sun team in a game that ended in a 69-50 defeat. The Sun are undefeated on the season as they move to 8-0 on the season.
The Dream had no answer for DeWanna Bonner as she had 18 points along with 10 rebounds. It was the largest loss for the Dream this season — unfortunate because they played in front of its fourth consecutive sellout crowd at Gateway Center. The Atlanta Dream’s record against the Connecticut Sun moves to 28-32 and 18-12 overall when playing in Atlanta, GA.
Tina Charles led the Dream scoring with her fourth double-double of the season in seven games with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Allisha Gray followed Charles with nine points, one steal, one rebound and four rebounds for the night. Naz Hillmon and Aerial Powers tied to lead the bench with seven points apiece. Hillmon also secured two steals.
“I feel like we’re a much better team than what we showed today. I think we let our offense dictate our defense at times, and I thought it killed our confidence at times. We missed some easy shots. We got to go back to the drawing board. Our task and our challenge is being consistent,” said head coach Tanisha Wright.
The game highlighted several areas for improvement for the Dream. The team’s shooting percentage was a significant factor, as they struggled to convert opportunities into points.
For the first half, Atlanta shot 29.7 % from the field. Additionally, the Sun dominance in the paint and their ability to control the boards made it difficult for the Dream to establish their game plan. The Sun accumulated 36 points in the paint, and they out rebounded the Dream 45-33.
The one positive for the game for the Dream was defensively, the Dream held Connecticut to a new low in points scored this season and recorded a new season high in steals with 10.
“When our shots aren’t falling, we have to figure out a way to do something different, to start with defense and try to get our offense going. I think that you know, overall, we’re pretty good transition offense team so we’re able to get some easy stuff,” said Hillmon.
Despite the loss, the Dream remain positive about their season. The team plans to review the game footage and address the key areas where they fell short. With plenty of games left in the early season, there is ample opportunity for the Dream to regroup and make a strong push in the standings.
The next game will be pivotal or the Dream as they seek to rebound from this defeat. They will need to focus on improving their offensive efficiency and maintaining their defensive intensity throughout the game. The 69-50 loss to the Sun was a tough pill to swallow for the Dream, but it also serves as a valuable learning experience.
With the right adjustments and a continued commitment to hard work, the Dream have the potential to get back to their winning ways. Fans and supporters remain hopeful and look forward to seeing the team back on the court, ready to compete and showcase their resilience.