Atlanta Dream Defeat Washington Mystics 92-77 in WNBA Playoff Opener
Angel Reese secured 13 points and 12 rebounds during her playoff debut on Sunday night, helping the Atlanta Dream defeat the Washington Mystics 92-77 in Game 1 of their WNBA first-round series in College Park, Georgia.
Defensive Pressure and Franchise Records in Game 1
The fourth-seeded Dream capitalized on 22 turnovers by the fifth-seeded Mystics, converting those defensive lapses into 27 points. Atlanta set a franchise playoff record with 16 steals, falling just two short of the overall WNBA single-game postseason record of 18 held by Indiana from 2009. Rhyne Howard led the charge with 26 points and five steals, while Allisha Gray contributed 22 points and Jordin Canada orchestrated the offense with 10 points and 11 assists.
Atlanta overcame an early 11-point deficit after a shaky start. Dream forward DeWanna Bonner noted that the team played with initial nerves before head coach Karl Smesko steadied them after halftime. Bonner scored 11 of her 13 points during a decisive 18-5 run that pushed the lead to 61-48 late in the third quarter.
Washington’s Rebounding Edge and First-Half Control
The Mystics made their first playoff appearance since 2023, controlling the early tempo through physical rebounding and a disciplined first half. Sonia Citron led Washington with 25 points, while Kiki Iriafen recorded 15 points and 14 rebounds—including nine on the offensive glass—and Shakira Austin added 12 points and 16 rebounds. Washington initially answered Atlanta’s opening basket with an 8-0 run, making things difficult for the hosts before defensive discipline slipped in the third quarter.
“In the first half we did a good job of just making everything hard for them and then in that third quarter we just let some of our discipline slip,” Citron said.
Reflecting on the physical demands of postseason basketball, Iriafen acknowledged the steep learning curve for a young roster experiencing the playoff stage for the first time.
Looking Ahead to Game 2 in Washington
With Game 1 secured, Atlanta holds a 1-0 series lead heading into Wednesday’s matchup in Washington. Head coach Karl Smesko emphasized that the work remains unfinished despite setting a strong tone for the series opener.
“This is just round one,” Smesko said. “We feel good about how we set the tone for the first game, but there is a lot more work to be done and I think everyone in our locker room is aware of that.”
For the Mystics, the focus shifts to adjusting defensive coverages and limiting live-ball turnovers that fueled Atlanta’s transition game.
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