Allisha Gray Leads, Jordin Canada Settles Offense and Angel Reese Controls the Paint in Dream Win

The Atlanta Dream are 2-0, and through two games, their identity is becoming increasingly clear.

Atlanta is defending at a high level, controlling the glass, and getting efficient production from its core players — led once again Tuesday night by Allisha Gray, who continued her dominant start to the season in a 77-72 road win over the Dallas Wings.

Gray finished with 26 points and four rebounds, recording her second consecutive 24+ point performance to open the year. While her scoring continues to stand out, Atlanta also pointed to the impact Gray brings defensively.

“She’s very athletic,” Jordin Canada said postgame. “People sleep on Leash defensively in general. She can literally guard one through five if the opportunity presents itself and she has to get a stop. I’ve always thought Leash has been a defensive stopper anytime we need one.”

That defensive tone showed immediately.

Gray and Angel Reese opened the game with back-to-back blocks, while Reese quickly added an offensive rebound and putback basket within the opening moments of the game. 

Reese finished with 12 points and 16 rebounds for her second consecutive double-double to begin her Atlanta tenure, but her impact went far beyond the box score.

Atlanta consistently generated second-chance opportunities because of Reese’s activity on the glass, finishing with 16 second-chance points as a team. Dallas spent much of the night trying to pull Reese away from the paint defensively and frequently doubled her on interior touches, limiting some of her help-side opportunities around the rim.

DALLAS, TX - MAY 12: Jordin Canada of the Atlanta Dream warms up prior to game against the Dallas Wings at College Park Center. (Photo by Briana Cortez)

“Attacking the paint, knowing that I bring a lot of attention and passing out to my shooters,” Canada continued. “And then when I’m open, just shoot them all. So just trying to make good decisions.”

Canada’s control at point guard became increasingly important as the game slowed down in the second half. While Dallas pushed the pace early, Atlanta eventually dictated tempo and executed more efficiently late.

“I think that’s a consensus thing with the whole team,” Canada said. “Just understanding, pick and choosing the moments when we can push the pace, and when we need to slow it down and run our offense.”

Atlanta’s defensive pressure also shifted the momentum coming out of halftime. The Dream forced Dallas into uncomfortable offensive possessions while slowing the Wings’ rhythm and creating transition opportunities of their own.

That composure showed most in the fourth quarter, when Atlanta held Dallas to just 13 points while executing offensively down the stretch in a physical game where officials consistently allowed contact around the rim and in halfcourt sets. 

The Dream also showed maturity in recognizing areas that still need improvement despite the win.

Atlanta now returns home for a matchup against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, and Gray made it clear the Dream know slow starts cannot continue against elite opponents.

“We can’t have those slow starts,” Gray said. “They definitely take advantage of it.”

Gray emphasized the importance of film review and tightening up smaller mistakes before facing Las Vegas.

“I think the biggest thing is just going back, watching film, just being a little nitpicky on the small things that we messed up so we can be prepared to face the Aces.”

The Final Cut

Through two games, Atlanta has already shown significant early strengths.

Gray is playing at an elite level offensively while continuing to anchor Atlanta defensively. Reese is controlling the paint and creating extra possessions through relentless rebounding and physicality. Canada is stabilizing the offense as a true point guard by making simple reads, controlling pace and limiting mistakes.

And perhaps most importantly, the Dream already look like a team that understands exactly how it wants to win games.