Atlanta pulled away in the second half to secure a 92-77 victory over Washington in Game 1 of their WNBA playoff series on Sunday. The No. 4 seed Dream showcased a tenacious defense, limiting the Mystics to just 77 points throughout the contest.
Trailing by five at halftime, Atlanta reversed the momentum in the second half, fueled by the efforts of guard Rhyne Howard and forward DeWanna Bonner, who contributed significantly with their scoring spurt late in the game.
“Making sure that we’re playing our defense for a full 40 minutes is gonna be key, because you want to take their confidence early,” Howard emphasized, highlighting the defensive focus that led to their comeback.
Washington Looks to Bounce Back with Young Talent
Meanwhile, the young Mystics, seeded No. 5, face a challenging task as they prepare for Game 2 on Wednesday. Head coach Sydney Johnson is placing considerable trust in the second-year players Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron to step up as the team looks to respond on their home court.
“We’re disappointed about the loss, but I’m excited to take this first step forward with Kiki and Sonia and our whole group,” Johnson expressed, focusing on the development and potential of his roster moving forward in the series.
Washington will host Atlanta for Game 2 on Wednesday at 7 PM ET, with the matchup airing on ESPN.