It's time to talk Atlanta Dream as WNBA contenders
The Dream could end the season with a championship. That's not a typo or a dramatic statement. In his first year as a WNBA head coach, Karl Smesko's team has already eclipsed last season's win total (15) and is currently on a six-game win streak, the longest in the WNBA as of the publishing of this story. The Dream, at 21-11, have pushed past the reigning champions, the New York Liberty, to claim the second overall spot in league standings after going 8-2 in their last 10 games.
That's really impressive considering Atlanta's starting lineup has dealt with injuries to three different players and has only played 113 minutes together this season. What's more, the Dream have 11 road wins this season is tied for first in the league with the Minnesota Lynx, surpassing the seven road victories they had in 2024. Frankly, not enough people are talking about Atlanta's chances at winning the whole thing. This has gone from a dream ― pun fully intended ― to a reality.
When you take a peek at what's happening in Atlanta, it all starts to make sense. Multiple players are in consideration for league honors, and there aren't very many teams in the league that can say that.
Guard Allisha Gray, who is averaging career highs in three categories and has 14 games of 20 or more points in 2025, is shooting a blistering 40 percent from three-point range and has already taken home three Eastern Conference Player of the Week awards. Atlanta is also 12-2 when Gray scores 20 or more points. Those are MVP-caliber accolades.Forward Naz Hillmon can't be overlooked either. She is also averaging career highs in multiple areas and has a case for Sixth Player of the Year and even Most Improved Player (MIP). Hillmon had one made 3-pointer in her career before 2025 ― yes, one basket on just six attempts ― and she's already made 39 shots from beyond the arc. Perhaps what makes Hillmon's case so special is that she also does all the little things that don't often jump out on the stat sheet: forcing a jump ball or a turnover, critical rebounds or lockdown defense.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE DUO 🤝Naz Hillmon and Brionna Jones went off in the @AtlantaDream win over the Mercury, 74-66 🔥B. J. – 15 PTS | 11 REB | 4 AST | 4 BLK (career-high)N. H. – 13 PTS | 13 REB | 4 AST #WNBARivalsWeek pic.twitter.com/o6L3OjhBT1
What Smesko is doing in Atlanta as a rookie head coach, who spent over two decades in the college ranks, is worthy of Coach of the Year honors. Not only did the Dream have three All-Stars this season (Gray, guard Rhyne Howard and forward Bri Jones), but they currently sit top five or better in six different WNBA team categories, including points per game, assists per game and three-point percentage. Atlanta is also second in offensive rating (107.2) and third in defensive rating (99.6). For comparison, the team was last in offensive rating in 2024 (96.6) and sixth in defensive rating (100.1).
If you haven't been paying attention to Atlanta, now is the time. It might be dream season.
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