How the Atlanta Dream reasserted themselves as playoff contenders

The 5’6 guard’s playmaking ability and scoring played a tremendous role in Atlanta’s back-to-back victories—against the Storm and the Sun — following the league’s Paris Olympics break. For perspective, Atlanta’s 82-70 win against Connecticut on Sunday marked only the second time the Dream have won consecutive games this season.

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Canada is not the sole reason for Atlanta’s recent wins. However, without her ability to facilitate the team’s offense, push the pace offensively and her IQ for the game, Atlanta does not earn two victories in three days against two top four teams in the latest WNBA standings. 

While Canada missed 20 of the team’s first 24 games due to a hand injury, her production on the hardwood in the team’s latest two wins is what Wright envisioned when she acquired the veteran guard during the offseason. As Canada entered the Dream’s postgame news conference following Sunday’s win, she displayed a big smile and an eye-catching black crown — embellished with red diamonds — on top of her head for her prolific performance on the hardwood.

“She kept us super composed, attacked, put pressure on the rim constantly … her ability to find her teammates, her ability to keep us calm and confident,” Atlanta Dream head coach Tanisha Wright said in response to Canada wearing the crown. “There were plenty of times I looked up [in the game] and she already had a play called and they ran it. She’s a great leader out there.”

If Canada continues to stack similar or greater performances as the Dream’s floor general in their final 14 games, Atlanta — a team that is inching closer to optimal health — could be on track to make a run into the postseason. At 9-17, Atlanta is just a game back of Chicago in the loss column for the eighth and final playoff spot. For now, here are three takeaways from the Dream’s two-game win streak.

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Jordin Canada is the ultimate ‘floor general’

Sunday’s win marked only the second time that Atlanta’s starting lineup included Canada, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon and Tina Charles due to a laundry list of injuries within the franchise during the first half of the season. With Howard fresh off the Paris Olympics, a much-needed hiatus for players and veteran guard Aerial Powers nearing a return (left calf injury), Canada provided a stronger case of how dynamic her presence to Atlanta’s flow offensively.

“She’s [Canada] somebody who has experience in this league who’s won championships in this league,” Wright said. “To have somebody out there, just a floor general, that can create and find the right people at the right time.”

When Canada played in her first four games of the season between June 23 and July 2, Howard wasn’t playing due to a left ankle injury. As Canada continues to obtain her footing with the team, she will also proceed with building chemistry with her teammates like the two-time All-Star. Canada played a key role in finding Howard for scoring opportunities on the court—especially from beyond the arc—in the Dream’s win against the Storm. Howard exploded for a season-high 30 points and notched her fourth time reaching 30 or more points in a game.

“I always say shooters shoot,” Howard said after Atlanta’s win against Seattle. “Once I see one [three pointer] go in, then the next couple are going to be heat checks. … My teammates continued to find me and give me open looks, you know, make them easier.”

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Tina Charles’s veteran presence, consistency

Canada dished a game-high eight assists in the Dream’s victory against the Storm. But beyond her dimes, no pass was more important than the one she inbounded to Charles in the low block in the final moments of the contest, allowing the eight-time All-Star to secure the game-winning bucket for the Dream.

“I went up to [Wright] to make sure she wanted me to go and score,” Charles said. “…Rhyne [Howard] put confidence in me and said go get a bucket. … I like to think I’m a bucket. So, I went and got a bucket.” 

There have only been five games this season where Charles did not register double-figure production in points this season. The former MVP continues to prove why her veteran presence is important to a team of young stars as well as why she is one of the efficient and elite scorers in WNBA history. 

After playing hero for the franchise against Seattle, Charles picked up where she left off and delivered a double double performance (22 points, 15 rebounds) against the Sun that included several of her signature midrange jumpers, strong finishes in the paint and free throws to aid Atlanta in its win against Connecticut.

While Charles typically keeps her head down and plays her game, the 35-year-old doesn’t hesitate to let her opponents know she is still a force on both sides of the ball and will be a key piece down the stretch of the season should Atlanta remain in the hunt for a playoff spot.

“I’m a bucket,” Charles said. “This is who I am. … I don’t think I am doing anything different. I don’t think about my age. I am just very competitive and I love to hoop.” 

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Here at The Next, in addition to the 24/7/365 written content our staff provides, we also host the daily Locked On Women’s Basketball podcast. Join us Monday through Saturday each week as we discuss all things WNBA, collegiate basketball, basketball history and much more. Listen wherever you find podcasts or watch on YouTube.

Allisha Gray getting back to her Dream role

With all of Atlanta’s injuries prior to the break, Gray’s role expanded on the floor as she became the Dream’s top scoring option. The two-time All-Star — known for her finishes in the paint and midrange game — started seeing greater defensive attention from opposing teams with key teammates out.

As a result, Gray encountered a brief shooting slump in several games — against the Aces, Storm and Lynx — leading up to the break. However, with Howard and Canada back on the court, it allows Gray to get back to her innate role of being a consistent scorer and dynamic force for the Dream.

When Atlanta (9-17) started the season, the team’s goal was to become a top-four team in the league. Health and injuries changed the trajectory of the team. But, with the second half underway, the Dream believe their goals of earning a playoff spot and making a run in the postseason remains in front of them.

“All of the adversity we have hit this season and really being able to take a deep breath during the break… Everybody’s looking at taking [things] one day at a time,” Wright said.

The Dream have three games remaining in their five-game home stretch that include two matchups against the Phoenix Mercury (15-13) — currently No. 6 in the WNBA standings —s tarting Wednesday as well as matchup against the Indiana Fever (13-15) on Aug. 26 at State Farm Arena. Among the league’s 12 teams, Atlanta has the ninth-toughest strength of schedule remaining this season.

“We really need these wins,” Charles said. “This is a new season for us and we’re trying to collect as many wins as we can.”

Atlanta must remain relatively healthy, while navigating injuries to Powers and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, and continue to build on its chemistry on both sides of the ball. Building the continuity begins and ends with the consistent play of its floor general in Canada orchestrating and leading the way. 

“It helps when you have a guard like JC [Jordin Canada] keeping your team calm,” Wright said.