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Angel Reese, Dream sweep Mystics as Atlanta’s playoff push picks up steam originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream are moving on, and they gave Washington plenty of reasons to be happy this series is over. Atlanta defeated the Mystics 93-75 on Wednesday at CareFirst Arena, completing a two-game sweep in the opening round of the WNBA playoffs. After winning the opener 92-77, the Dream went on the road and delivered another convincing finish.
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Two games. Two double-digit victories. A combined winning margin of 33 points.
Reese contributed 15 points, seven rebounds, two assists and three blocks in the clincher. Allisha Gray led Atlanta with 22 points, while Jordin Canada produced a standout performance with 19 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds. Every Dream starter scored in double figures, giving Atlanta the kind of balanced offense that makes life difficult for a playoff opponent. Washington could slow one option and still have several others to worry about.
The Mystics stayed within reach entering the fourth quarter. Atlanta promptly made sure they would not get another chance.
Angel Reese gives Atlanta more than a scoring boost
Reese’s contribution came in several forms Wednesday. She shot 4-for-8 from the field and made seven of her eight free throws, providing efficient scoring despite missing all four of her 3-point attempts. Her seven rebounds tied Canada for the team lead, and her three blocks accounted for most of Atlanta’s four.
The Dream also outscored Washington by 26 points during Reese’s 28 minutes, the best plus-minus figure on the team.
That number reflects the lineups around her as well as her own performance, but it underscores how well Atlanta played with Reese on the floor. She supplied scoring, rebounding and defensive resistance while the Dream’s perimeter players kept pressure on Washington.
Rhyne Howard added 15 points and four assists, making two of her three attempts from beyond the arc. Naz Hillmon scored 10 points, including a pair of 3-pointers.
Atlanta’s five starters combined for 81 of its 93 points. With that many players contributing, the Dream never needed one person to carry the entire offense.
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Jordin Canada’s double-double helps unlock the Dream
Canada’s stat line deserves a little extra attention. She finished with 11 assists and just one turnover in 35 minutes, pairing that control with 19 points. She also made four of eight 3-point attempts and collected three steals.
For Washington, that created a difficult combination. Canada was finding teammates, protecting possessions and punishing the defense with her own shooting.
Gray provided the biggest scoring total, finishing 8-for-18 from the field with three 3-pointers. She also had four steals, helping Atlanta turn Washington’s mistakes into opportunities.
The Dream recorded 23 assists against eight turnovers. The Mystics finished with 13 assists and 19 turnovers. That difference helped Atlanta overcome a substantial disadvantage on the glass. Washington outrebounded the Dream 42-27, with Kiki Iriafen collecting 16 rebounds to accompany her 15 points.
But Atlanta earned more field-goal attempts, made six more 3-pointers and won.
