The Atlanta Dream were dealt a difficult start to the 2024 WNBA season, forced to open with a pair of games out west against the Los Angeles Sparks and Phoenix Mercury. A split—a 92-81 win over LA and a 88-85 loss to Phoenix—is a fair outcome. But, more important than the raw results, what have we learned about the Dream and what can we expect from them moving forward?
On Tuesday evening, the Dream host an injured Dallas Wings team for their home opener (7:30 p.m. ET, League Pass). On Sunday, the strong-looking Minnesota Lynx come to Atlanta (6 p.m. ET, League Pass).
Rhyne is shining
When previewing the Dream’s season, we expressed hope for a refined Rhyne Howard. So far, the third-year star is accessing the full suite of her offensive skill set, balancing her prolific 3-point shooting with attacks to the basket. As she will not continue to hit half of her attempts from behind the arc, introducing more drives will be needed to maintain her production. That approach also would help her to earn more easy points from the foul line. But, she’s off to a promising positive start.
In the Dream’s opening win over the Sparks, she led the team with a stylish 25 points, going 9-for-16 overall and 3-for-7 from 3. At the Mercury, she drained five triples on her way to 21 points.
Howard also has demonstrated an increased level of activity in other areas of the game. Against LA, it showed via a pair of steals and blocks, while she crashed the glass for eight defensive rebounds, and nine overall, against Phoenix.
TC still has it
It’s been a bit of a boom-or-bust start to the season for Tina Charles. She turned in a throwback performance against LA, with her 17 first-half points reminding everyone why she is the No. 4 all-time points scorer in WNBA history. She also dominated the glass to finish with a 21-point and 14-rebound double-double. The Dream outscored the Sparks by a team-best 16 points when she was on the floor.
If Tina Charles is going to be finishing shots with this many defenders on her, the Dream are going to be a really good basketball team. pic.twitter.com/eETScZXxSC
— Justin Carter (@juscarts) May 16, 2024
The second game against Phoenix, however, highlighted her limitations. She struggled to defend in space, with the Mercury smartly attacking her to saddle her with three fouls by the beginning of the second quarter. Her defensive issues were compounded by an off night on the offensive end.
Although it was just one game, Charles’ offensive effort against the Sparks suggests she will benefit the Dream. However, Atlanta needs to better account for her defensive unreliability, particularly as a primary rim protector.
Come on, Canada!
Someone who could help address those defensive ills? Jordin Canada, one of the best point-of-attack defenders in the WNBA
With Kahleah Copper smoking the Dream for a career-high 38 points on Saturday night, head coach Tanisha Wright surely wished she could have called Canada’s number. Through two games, Canada has been listed as out, rather than doubtful or questionable, with a right hand injury, providing no hint of how close she is to making her debut for the Dream.
However, Canada cannot be counted on as the singular cure all for the Dream defense. Atlanta has personnel that, at their best, should finish in the top half of the league in defensive rating. Even if Charles is a weak point on that end, Howard, Allisha Gray and Nia Coffey are solid defenders, while Cheyenne Parker-Tyus gives plus effort as an undersized big and Haley Jones has the tools to become an above-average defender. Even as Wright has been hesitant to rely on her, Laeticia Amihere also oozes disruptive, defensive potential.
For the Dream to deliver on their defensive promise, consistency, connectedness and communication must become non-negotiables, although the return of Canada would, at least, be good start.