Atlanta Dream Advances to WNBA Semifinals

Published: September 30, 2026

On September 30, 2026, in Washington D.C., the Atlanta Dream secured a significant victory against the Washington Mystics in Game 2 of the first round of the WNBA Playoffs. This achievement marks their advancement to the semifinals for the first time since 2018. The game unfolded at the CareFirst Arena where Jordin Canada showcased her skills by driving to the basket in front of Alicia Florez of the Mystics during the first quarter.

Allisha Gray led Atlanta by scoring 22 points. Jordin Canada added 19 points, with 13 of these coming in a crucial fourth quarter, propelling the Dream to a 93-75 victory. This win allows Atlanta to host Game 1 of the semifinals on Sunday against the New York team.

The match against Washington showed Atlanta’s resilience, especially after Canada successfully made back-to-back 3-pointers and a jumper from the free-throw line, widening their lead to 89-70 with just under three minutes remaining. Canada’s contribution also included 11 assists and seven rebounds, further strengthening Atlanta’s position.

Rhyne Howard contributed with 15 points before fouling out. Angel Reese matched this tally with her own 15 points, while Naz Hillmon added 10 points to the team’s efforts. On the opposing side, Sonia Citron stood out for the Mystics, scoring an impressive 25 points. Kiki Iriafen added another highlight by becoming the first player in franchise history to record a first-half double-double during a playoff game with 15 points and 16 rebounds. Despite Atlanta’s initial lead of 41-28 in the first half, Washington managed a 7-0 run, ending it with Citron’s skillful lane shot.

In the third quarter, Washington made a charged attempt to close the gap with a 14-2 run, bringing them within 65-62. However, Atlanta responded strongly by scoring the next 13 points, solidifying a double-digit lead with Canada’s decisive 3-point shot.

For Washington, this playoff appearance marked their first since claiming the WNBA championship in 2019, a period defined by fierce competition and determined players.