The No. 5 Atlanta Dream edged closer to securing a spot in the WNBA playoffs following a commanding 124-88 victory over the No. 12 LA Sparks on Thursday. Leading the charge was forward Angel Reese, who delivered a flawless shooting performance, going 9-for-9 from the field.
Reese’s remarkable efficiency contributed to her 20 points, complemented by a near triple-double effort with 10 rebounds and eight assists. Her standout display was instrumental in helping Atlanta recover from a recent defeat against Indiana, reinforcing their position as a strong playoff contender.
Atlanta’s Playoff Push Intensifies
With the win, the Dream’s playoff magic number has shrunk to two, putting them on the verge of clinching their fourth consecutive postseason appearance. However, their fate is partially dependent on other results. Should the already-eliminated Toronto team upset No. 9 Portland in their upcoming match, Atlanta could secure their playoff berth by defeating No. 11 Phoenix in their next game.
After Thursday’s victory, Atlanta’s head coach Karl Smesko praised his team’s commitment, emphasizing the progress they have made while acknowledging room for improvement. “You can see the [players’] effort into what we’ve been emphasizing as coaches,” he said.
The Dream are scheduled to face Phoenix this Saturday at 10 PM ET, a game available on WNBA League Pass, where they will have the opportunity to solidify their postseason status.