The Connecticut Sun remain undefeated as they topple the Dream, 69-50, and extend their record to 8-0.
To extend the momentum from their stellar upset win over the Las Vegas Aces, the Atlanta Dream need a short-term memory against the undefeated Connecticut Sun.
But they must also remember what got them to win: intelligent shots, patience and some gutsy defense. “We have to consistently come out and do the things we’re supposed to do both offensively and defensively….,” Head coach Tanisha Wright said pregame. “It’s already gonna be a dog fight. So, you don’t want to start off in that type of deficit…”
The Dream, who have yet to win a first quarter all season, know that it starts with their defense. Haley Jones spoke about how the team needs to build upon their success against the Aces with Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner and the Sun in town.
That was the first time we really felt like we executed defensively…we really bought into our schemes and our scout….now, that’s the new standard.”
The Dream escaped the first quarter with just seventeen points, but it was enough to hang in there with the Sun. Their defense even did a superb job through those opening minutes and into the midway point of the second quarter.
But, a DeWanna Bonner three launched from as far away as Mohegan Sun cut through any progress made. Bonner’s three ignited the Sun, who extended their lead to 12 at halftime.
The Dream went 4-for-17 during the second quarter, shooting a gross 23.5%. The Sun, however, shot 50% because Atlanta had no answer for anything Connecticut threw at them.
“The first quarter, we got good looks…”, Wright said postgame. “But what we kept telling them was ‘Hey…let’s play inside-outside.’ And we came out the second quarter, and it was jump shot, jump shot, jump shot”
By midway through the 3rd quarter the lead is SEVENTEEN points. Ty Harris nailed a huge 3-pointer, and with it, quieted the arena.
The Sun are still doing Sun things, making buckets that don’t make sense. (They shot 61 percent in the quarter)
I feel like, you know, they had a couple of easy looks,” Aerial Powers said. “That’s where, you know, heart comes in, forcing them to make harder shots…”
But the Dream are still around, too. Laeticia Amihere was inserted into the game and immediately forced a turnover on Alyssa Thomas with Naz Hillmon. Then, Aerial Powers caused a deflection that led to a Naz bucket and a huge Allisha Gray 3-ball to end the third. Now, things are interesting as the Sun lead 57-43.
Tina Charles blocked Alyssa Thomas, and Aerial Powers, the most aggressive player on the court, forced a jump ball on Thomas. That woman’s motor is next-level, and her energy is palpable.
Sadly, as DiJonai Carrington sinks another Sun three-ball with just over three minutes remaining, the realization that the Dream are still outmatched is clear. Connecticut has three players in double figures behind DeWanna’s game-high 18 points (with 10 rebounds) and rolls to an 8-0 record that continues its franchise-best start.
“I feel like we’re a much better team than what we showed today,” Wright explained. “I think we let our offense dictate our defense at times, and I thought it killed our confidence at times.”
The Dream’s gauntlet home stand continues Thursday, June 6 against Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and the New York Liberty.
Hall About Sports 
One response to “Undefeated Sun unravel a still-figuring-it-out Dream squad”
[…] Dream all Thursday evening long for a 78-61 win behind Breanna Stewart’s 25 points.Despite an ugly loss to the undefeated Connecticut Sun, the Atlanta Dream are still in a good spot. The sky isn’t falling; no one is upset. But the […]
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