The Dream had a strong start to the game, leading 30-24 after the first quarter. Last season, Atlanta finished in fifth place in the standings with a record of 19-21, their best performance since 2018. This season, they are looking to compete with teams like Indiana for a spot in the middle of the standings and playoff positioning.
Key players returning for the Dream include 2021 No. 1 overall pick Rhyne Howard, who averaged 17.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, Olympic 3×3 champion Allisha Gray with 17.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, and center Cheyenne Parker who averaged 15 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. In addition, veteran all-WNBA center and Olympic gold medalist Tina Charles, who did not play last season, has joined the team in free agency, still aiming for her first WNBA championship. The Dream is a team to watch this season as they aim to build on their success from last year.