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Mike vs. Reese (Kanada gets possession)Reece Foot's layup was blocked by Mike
Mike defended the reboundBrogchan's three-pointer missedMercury grabbed the offensive reboundThomas received an assist from Cooper and hit a two-pointerHoward scored on a driving layupCooper received an assist from Thomas and scored on a driveHoward received an assist from Rees and hit a three-pointerCooper received an assist from Mike and hit a pull-up jumperGray's three-pointer missedMike defended the reboundCooper missed a pull-up jumperMike grabbed offensive reboundsKanada committed a shooting foulNojić was awarded two free throws, with the first one making the first attemptNorjić made his second free throwGray missed a layup on a driveReece grabbed offensive reboundsBrogchan committed a shooting foulReece received two free throws, making the firstReece missed his second free throwDreaming of grabbing offensive reboundsThomas committed an off-ball foulHoward missed a three-pointerDreaming of grabbing offensive reboundsHoward made a passing error, and Thomas intercepted the ballHoward committed a shooting foulDreams hinder the violation of the gameThomas received two free throws, making the firstDream substitution: Papao came on to replace KanadaThomas made his second free throwReece missed a layup on a driveMercury grabbed the defensive reboundNojic's passing error was mistaken, and the ball was stolen by HowardHoward committed an offensive foulHoward committed an offensive foul and committed a turnoverHoward committed a technical foulNojić made a free throw due to a technical foulDream substitution: Kona came on to replace SimonCooper hit a pull-up jumperGray made a passing error, and the ball was intercepted by BrochampCooper missed a pull-up jumper from a threeThomas grabbed offensive reboundsNorjić missed a three-pointerCooper grabbed offensive reboundsCooper hit a step-back jumperHoward missed a three-pointer with a pull-up jumperThomas defended the reboundMike received an assist from Thomas and scored a two-point layupDreams pause for a long timeDream substitution: Ocott came on to replace ReeseDream substitution: Simon came on to replace KonaCooper committed a personal foulCooper committed a technical foulHoward made a free throw due to a technical foulOcott missed a fadeaway jumperCooper defended the reboundCooper missed a pull-up jumper from a threeMike grabbed offensive reboundsThomas missed a drifting shotOcott defensively reboundsOcott made a walking errorDream substitution: Borasse came on to replace PapaoDream made a substitution, Kanada came on to replace GrayMercury made substitutions, with Linskens coming on to replace CooperMercury made substitutions, Bonner came in to replace MikeNorgić missed a layup on a driveMercury grabbed the offensive reboundDream made a substitution, with Reece coming on to replace SimonMercury made substitutions, Williams came on to replace NorgićBroghan received an assist from Thomas and hit a pull-up jumperBorasé missed a three-pointerLinskens defensively reboundedHoward committed a personal foulDream made a substitution, with Gray coming on to replace HowardDream made a substitution, Simon came on to replace OcottWilliams missed a two-point jumperKanada defensively reboundedLinskens committed a shooting foulKanada received two free throws, with the first one making itKanada made his second free throwBonner missed a two-point jumperReece defensively reboundedBorase received an assist from Kanada and hit a two-point shotThomas received an assist from Brochamp and hit a fadeaway jumperReece missed a layup on a driveThomas defended the reboundBonner missed a pull-up jumperSimon defended the reboundKanada missed a two-point layupReece grabbed offensive reboundsReece made a passing error and the ball was intercepted by ThomasThomas hit a two-pointerReese's drive layup was blocked by LinskensDreaming of grabbing offensive reboundsDream substitution: Ocott came on to replace ReeseMercury made substitutions, Cooper came on to replace BrochampMercury made substitutions, with Mike coming in to replace ThomasMercury made substitutions, with Suárez coming on to replace LinskensGray's three-pointer missedSuárez defended the reboundOcott committed a personal foulDream substitution: Howard came on to replace BorasseMike missed a layupGray defended the reboundGray hit a two-pointerKanada committed a shooting foulCooper was awarded two free throws, with the first one madeDream substitution, Nai came on to replace KanadaCooper made his second free throw
End of the first quarterThe Atlanta Dream edged out the Phoenix Mercury 82-80 in a tightly contested WNBA clash on May 25, 2026, at Gateway Center Arena. The one-possession game saw the Dream hold their nerve in the final seconds to secure their third straight home win of the season, while the Mercury fell just short despite a furious fourth-quarter comeback.
Match Overview
From the opening tip, both teams traded baskets in a game defined by defensive intensity and clutch shooting. Atlanta controlled much of the first half, building a 45-40 lead at the break behind sharp perimeter shooting and aggressive drives to the rim. Phoenix clawed back in the third quarter, tying the game at 64 heading into the final period. The decisive moments came in the last two minutes: with the score level at 80-80, Dream guard Aari McDonald hit a pull-up jumper with 12 seconds left, and Phoenix's Diana Taurasi missed a potential game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer.
Key Moments
- First-quarter surge: Atlanta opened with a 12-4 run, fueled by Cheyenne Parker's interior presence.
- Third-quarter Mercury rally: Brittney Griner scored 10 points in the period, including two alley-oop dunks that energized the visiting bench.
- Clutch shot by Aari McDonald: Her mid-range jumper with 12 seconds left proved to be the game-winner.
- Final defensive stand: On the ensuing possession, Atlanta forced Taurasi into a contested off-balance three that clanked off the rim.
Standout Players
Atlanta Dream: Aari McDonald finished with 22 points and 5 assists, including the game-winning basket. Rhyne Howard contributed 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals, while Cheyenne Parker added a double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds).
Phoenix Mercury: Brittney Griner led all scorers with 26 points and 10 rebounds, dominating the paint. Diana Taurasi, playing in her 21st season, had 15 points and 6 assists but struggled from deep (1-of-5 from three). Sophie Cunningham chipped in 12 points off the bench.
Tactical Story
Atlanta head coach Tanisha Wright opted for a switching defense that limited Phoenix's three-point attempts but conceded interior baskets to Griner. Offensively, the Dream ran high pick-and-rolls with McDonald and Parker, exploiting mismatches when Phoenix switched. The Mercury relied on isolation sets for Taurasi and post-ups for Griner, but turnovers (14) proved costly. Atlanta outscored Phoenix 18-8 on fast-break points.
Season Impact
The win improved the Dream's record to 5-2, keeping them in the top three of the WNBA standings. For Phoenix (4-3), the loss snapped a two-game winning streak and highlighted their ongoing struggles in close games. Atlanta's home-court advantage continues to be a factor; they are now 3-0 at Gateway Center Arena. The two teams will meet again on June 12 in Phoenix.