The Atlanta Dream avoided a first-round playoff exit for the first time in four years.
Atlanta, which finished with the Eastern Conference’s best regular-season record, had little trouble dispatching the Washington Mystics in Game 2 of their first-round WNBA playoff series Tuesday night. Star guard Allisha Gray led the Dream with 22 points in the 83-75 victory, punching Atlanta’s ticket to the semifinals for the first time since 2018.
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Atlanta’s postseason run will continue Sunday, when the Dream host Game 1 of the semifinals against New York. The Liberty made league history by sweeping Minnesota, becoming the first No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed in the league’s 30-year history.
Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese celebrates with her teammates after being fouled in the first half of Game 2 of a WNBA first-round playoff series against the Washington Mystics on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
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Jordin Canada made 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions in the fourth quarter, and she added a jumper from the free-throw line on Atlanta’s next trip for an 89-70 lead with just under three minutes left on the clock.
Rhyne Howard, the top pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft, ended the night with 15 points before fouling out with just over six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Angel Reese also had 15 points and seven rebounds.
Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese reacts as Washington Mystics center Shakira Austin looks on during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA first-round playoff series at CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 30, 2026. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
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The Mystics committed 11 first-half turnovers.
Washington went on a 14-2 run starting in the third quarter to get within 65-62. But Atlanta scored the next 13 points, capped by a 3-pointer by Canada, to rebuild a double-digit lead at 78-62.
Sonia Citron (No. 22) of the Washington Mystics shoots a 3-pointer against the Atlanta Dream during Game 2 of the first round of the 2026 WNBA playoffs on Sept. 30, 2026, at Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington, D.C. (Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Mystics were making their first playoff appearance since winning the 2019 WNBA championship, while the Dream have captured the conference title three times from 2010-13 but have never won a WNBA championship.
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The Dallas Wings hosted the Golden State Valkyries in Wednesday’s other first-round series matchup.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
