Latest news with #KarlSmesko
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Atlanta Dream Coach Had Strong Words After Brittney Griner's Return
Atlanta Dream Coach Had Strong Words After Brittney Griner's Return originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It was a big night for the Atlanta Dream on Friday as they rallied for a 94-87 win over the Seattle Storm, improving to 5-2 on the season. After trailing by eight after the first quarter and 11 at halftime, Atlanta outscored Seattle 60-42 in the second half to earn the victory. Advertisement Atlanta's head coach, Karl Smesko, continues to impress in his debut WNBA season after a long stint leading the Florida Gulf Coast women's basketball program from 2002-24. Following the comeback win, Smesko praised his team's performance, especially the duo of Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray, who scored 33 and 28 points, respectively. 'It seems like I'm given a new career high every game," Smesko said. "(Allisha) had her career high again. ... How about my Rhyde or die (Howard) today?" Atlanta needed that offensive production because Brittney Griner, in limited action, played just 14 minutes and went 1-for-7 from the field, finishing with only two points. Advertisement Griner had missed the previous game on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Sparks due to a knee injury. Though she was initially listed as probable, she was cleared to play just before tipoff. Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner (42).Brett Davis-Imagn Images Even with Griner still working her way back, Smesko liked what he saw from the rest of his squad and ended his postgame comments with a motivating message. "We can still get better, and I think you guys saw we didn't look very good, and then when we got locked in," Smesko said. "Suddenly we're one of the best teams in the league." The Dream will play their third straight road game next Friday against the Connecticut Sun before hosting the Indiana Fever on June 10. Advertisement Related: Sheryl Swoopes Demands Referee From Angel Reese Game Never Officiates Again Related: Brittney Griner's Clear Statement to Dream Teammate After Career Achievement This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Dream begin to discover their identity
On Tuesday, the Atlanta Dream and Las Vegas Aces scored their first wins of the season, with the Dream edging the Indiana Fever 91-90 due to a Rhyne Howard free throw and Nia Coffey block while the Aces won (much, much) more comfortably over the Connecticut Sun, 87-62. Here's what we learned about Atlanta and Vegas in victory: Sweet, Smesko dreams It looks like the Atlanta version of Smesko-ball is beginning to take shape. Advertisement Yes, new Dream head coach Karl Smesko is known for the 3-pointer-powered offensive system he installed at FGCU, and certainly he has encouraged Atlanta to fire away from behind the arc. On Tuesday, the Dream took 30 3-pointers, albeit making just eight; they lead the league with 66 3-point attempts through two games, eight more than the second-ranked Aces. However, in contrast to the teams he coached in his more than two-decade tenure at FCGU, Smesko now employs two elite bigs in Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones. Although the pair also is being urged to embrace the 3-ball, with Jones reportedly swishing five-straight in warm ups on Tuesday, they're still best around the basket. In Indy on Tuesday, that's where they did their damage, with Griner leading the team with 21 points and Jones netting 19. While the duo went a combined 0-for-3 from deep, they benefitted from the space created by the 3-point stylings of their teammates, especially that of Howard and Allisha Gray, who combined for 23 3-point attempts. The Dream's perimeter stars, who finished with 20 and 16 points, respectively, mostly limited their shot diets to triples or drives to the hoop, more evidence of how Smesko is shaping the Dream's attack. Even as the Dream shot just 42.6 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from 3, they still rang up 91 points; last season, as the league's worst offense, the team only crossed the 90-point plateau three times. Atlanta also was aided by 26 points from the stripe, with their improved offensive dynamism resulting in the Fever sending Dream players to the line for 32 free throws. In 2024, Atlanta had just two games where they earned 32 or more free throws. The Dream still have work to do, as 31 points scored in the first quarter and 32 scored in the third compared to 13 in the second and 15 in the fourth indicate a lack of consistency, especially in blended lineups featuring starters and reserves. Nearly allowing the Fever to steal the game after leading by 14 points likewise is a concern. Indiana's own defensive issues also may deserve significant credit for Atlanta's offensive output. Advertisement Still, after a season-opening loss in DC, escaping with a road win over a team that has been crowned as contenders suggests that this will not be the same ol' disappointing Dream. They can confirm that on Thursday, as the two teams will meet again with the Dream hosting the Fever for their home opener. Aces go wild Up in Connecticut, the Aces dispensed with any drama, leading by as many as 35 points in an absolute domination of the Sun. There's not much to learn from this one. We know A'ja Wilson is awesome, as the reigning MVP totaled 22 points, 10 boards, three steals and two blocks. However, seeing Jewell Loyd drain six of her nine 3-point attempts on her way to 20 points had to make Aces fans feel better. After an underwhelming debut that saw her go 2-for-10 from the field and finish with five points, Loyd provided a reminder of the pure shotmaking she brings to the team, flashing her Gold Mamba form. Advertisement Going from playing the New York Liberty, riding high off their banner-raising celebration, to the Sun, a team that likely will wallow at the bottom of the standings, was quite the divergent experience for the Aces. Upcoming games against the spunky Washington Mystics and experienced Seattle Storm should offer a better barometer of where this team stands, as well as if Loyd can consistently play as a championship-caliber supporting star. More from
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
WNBA Sends Message on Brittney Griner After Fever-Dream This Week
Brittney Griner had an immense contribution in tonight's win against the Indiana Fever at their home. She tallied 21 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists. Caitlin Clark and her teammates mounted a close fight but fell short by just one point, losing 91–90. Clark delivered an electrifying fourth-quarter performance that brought the game this close. Advertisement Post-game WNBA announced that Griner was the top performer of the match, along with a message that read, "Brittney Griner put on a big-time performance in the Atlanta Dream's thrilling 1-PT win over the Indiana Fever 💪" Besides Griner, Rhyne Howard also displayed an impeccable performance with 20 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists. Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner (42) watches a free throw Tuesday.© Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images When he entered the dressing room after the win, head coach Karl Smesko was drenched with water in a celebratory gesture by the girls. "I was prepared for that," Smesko said after. "Thank you guys for delivering. I'm really proud of you guys. This was a whole different effort, a whole different vibe today. This is what we're capable of being. That was a great game. I'm proud of all of you. Let's keep it going." He said before joining everyone in a huddle. On the other side, Stephanie White felt really proud of her girls despite having many defensive flaws. Advertisement "I'm proud of our fight, the toughness that we showed, our ability to stay together." She said. "Our bench was really engaged in every timeout and in every huddle. We were all engaged. And yes, that's a moral victory, so to speak, I suppose." Related: WNBA Made A'ja Wilson Announcement after Win Against Connecticut
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream: How to watch Caitlin Clark's next WNBA preseason game
If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability subject to change. Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever will play the Atlanta Dream in their next preseason game, here's how to watch. (Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images) Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever will face the Atlanta Dream for their next WNBA preseason game after a blowout where they defeated the Brazil National team 108-44 last Sunday. The Fever have historically dominated the Dream, having won the last five of their matchups, but with the Dream's newest draft picks, Te-Hina Paopao and Taylor Thierry, new head coach Karl Smesko, and Brittney Griner joining the team, this season the team's dynamic will certainly look different in 2025. Today's game is one of 14 preseason games that will be available via WNBA League Pass, which is offering a free preview period for the duration of the preseason via the WNBA App. If you want to catch all the action, here's how you can watch every single game of the 2025 WNBA preseason. How to watch the Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream: Dates: May 10, 2025 Advertisement Time: 3 p.m. ET Location: Gateway Center Arena, College Park Atlanta, GA TV channel: Peachtree TV (Atlanta area) Streaming: WNBA League Pass What channel will the Fever vs. Dream preseason game be on? The Fever vs. Dream preseason game will be broadcast locally in the Atlanta area on Peachtree TV. Where to watch the Fever vs. Dream without cable: The Fever vs. Dream game is airing on WNBA League Pass, and will be available to watch for free thanks to a special preseason preview available via the WNBA App. Watch WNBA preseason games for free WNBA League Pass WNBA League Pass is streaming 14 out of 15 of this year's WNBA preseason games, all for free if you sign in through the WNBA App. With WNBA League Pass, you can stream live out-of-market WNBA games (certain national exclusions and local blackouts apply), get access to full length and condensed replays of every game, rewatch hundreds of past classic games and use the platform's live game DVR. WNBA League Pass costs $35 for the entire season, but you can also buy a monthly pass for $12.99. Try free at WNBA 2025 WNBA preseason schedule: There are 15 WNBA preseason games this month, the remaining schedule is as follows (all times ET): Advertisement May 9 Connecticut Sun vs. New York Liberty, 7 p.m. (NBA League Pass) May 10 Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream, 3 p.m. (NBA League Pass) Toyota Antelopes vs. Dallas Wings, 8 p.m. (NBA League Pass) Chicago Sky vs. Minnesota Lynx, 8 p.m. (NBA League Pass) May 11 Golden State Valkyries vs. Phoenix Mercury, 6 p.m. (NBA League Pass) May 12 Toyota Antelopes vs. New York Liberty, 10 p.m. (NBA League Pass) More ways to watch the WNBA preseason:
Reuters
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Griner living the dream after shock move to Atlanta
NEW YORK, May 9 (Reuters) - Ten-time All-Star Brittney Griner has recaptured her love for basketball after moving to the Atlanta Dream in a shock free agency move, the veteran center said on Friday. The former first overall pick built her career over 12 years with the Mercury and once appeared to be a permanent fixture in Phoenix, where she helped win the title in 2014 and was twice the WNBA's scoring champion. In a WNBA off-season full of blockbuster acquisitions, the 34-year-old Griner signing a one-year deal with the Dream earlier this year was perhaps the biggest shock to fans. But the three-time Olympic champion said it was exactly the move she needed. "I was somewhere for a very long time and it's good to have a different change of pace, different outlook on everything. Definitely found the love for the game again being here," Griner told a press conference. The earliest sign of her fresh start came in the Dream's 80-70 pre-season win over the Washington Mystics on Wednesday. The 6'9" Griner drained a three-pointer in her first possession, showing comfort with a shot she did not even attempt in her five seasons with the Mercury. She told reporters that newly-installed coach Karl Smesko was helping build her confidence from behind the arc. "Started in training camp day one, and I already can tell the difference now. I definitely feel comfortable taking the shot," said Griner. "Between coach and my teammates, they're just putting a lot of confidence in me to take them. And then also movement on the three-point line and not just being on the block as well." Griner has enjoyed terrific longevity in her career despite a 10-month detention in Russia three years ago for carrying vape cartridges containing cannabis oil through a Moscow airport. She was freed from a Russian penal colony in a high-profile prisoner exchange in December 2022 and named an All-Star only seven months later for the 2023 season, where she averaged 17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.
