Dream Erase 19-Point Deficit to Stun Lynx in WNBA Opener
Atlanta Dream vs Minnesota Lynx 2026 opener
The Atlanta Dream staged a remarkable comeback on Saturday night to defeat the Minnesota Lynx 91-90 in a thrilling WNBA season opener at Target Center. Minnesota appeared to be in total control early in the contest, building a commanding 19-point lead behind the impressive debut of rookie guard Olivia Miles. However, the Lynx offense stalled in the second half, missing nine consecutive field-goal attempts during a critical stretch as Atlanta mounted a furious rally.
The Dream utilized a decisive 18-4 run in the third quarter to trim the deficit to a single point, setting the stage for a high-stakes fourth-quarter battle. Te-Hina Paopao delivered the final blow for Atlanta by hitting a clutch pull-up jumper with just 12 seconds remaining to give the Dream their first and only lead of the game.
Allisha Gray led the offensive charge for Atlanta, scoring 16 of her game-high 24 points in the second half to keep the Dream within striking distance. The game also marked the highly anticipated debut of Angel Reese in an Atlanta uniform following her blockbuster trade from Chicago in April. Reese lived up to the hype by recording 11 points and 14 rebounds, marking her 50th career double-double and making her the fastest player in league history to reach that milestone.
Rhyne Howard and Naz Hillmon each contributed 15 points to the winning effort, while Jordin Canada added 12 points and six assists. Atlanta’s defense tightened in the closing seconds, with Gray and Reese both recording blocks on Minnesota’s final possession to seal the one-point victory.
The Minnesota Lynx struggled to find consistent scoring late in the game without superstar forward Napheesa Collier, who remains sidelined while recovering from offseason ankle surgery. Despite the loss, the Lynx saw a standout performance from Miles, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 draft, who finished her professional debut with 21 points and eight assists.
Veteran guard Kayla McBride added 18 points, and rookie center Emma Cechova provided a boost in the paint with 12 points. Minnesota will look to rebound from the heartbreaking defeat when they travel to face the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Dream will carry their momentum into a road matchup against the Dallas Wings as they seek a 2-0 start to the campaign.
