WNBA: Atlanta Dream show offensive progress with win over Indiana Fever

On Tuesday, the Atlanta Dream and Las Vegas Aces scored their first wins of the season, with the Dream edging the Indiana Fever 91-90 due to a Rhyne Howard free throw and Nia Coffey block while the Aces won (much, much) more comfortably over the Connecticut Sun, 87-62.

Here’s what we learned about Atlanta and Vegas in victory:

Sweet, Smesko dreams

It looks like the Atlanta version of Smesko-ball is beginning to take shape.

Yes, new Dream head coach Karl Smesko is known for the 3-pointer-powered offensive system he installed at FGCU, and certainly he has encouraged Atlanta to fire away from behind the arc. On Tuesday, the Dream took 30 3-pointers, albeit making just eight; they lead the league with 66 3-point attempts through two games, eight more than the second-ranked Aces.

However, in contrast to the teams he coached in his more than two-decade tenure at FCGU, Smesko now employs two elite bigs in Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones. Although the pair also is being urged to embrace the 3-ball, with Jones reportedly swishing five-straight in warm ups on Tuesday, they’re still best around the basket. In Indy on Tuesday, that’s where they did their damage, with Griner leading the team with 21 points and Jones netting 19. While the duo went a combined 0-for-3 from deep, they benefitted from the space created by the 3-point stylings of their teammates, especially that of Howard and Allisha Gray, who combined for 23 3-point attempts.

The Dream’s perimeter stars, who finished with 20 and 16 points, respectively, mostly limited their shot diets to triples or drives to the hoop, more evidence of how Smesko is shaping the Dream’s attack. Even as the Dream shot just 42.6 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from 3, they still rang up 91 points; last season, as the league’s worst offense, the team only crossed the 90-point plateau three times. Atlanta also was aided by 26 points from the stripe, with their improved offensive dynamism resulting in the Fever sending Dream players to the line for 32 free throws. In 2024, Atlanta had just two games where they earned 32 or more free throws.

The Dream still have work to do, as 31 points scored in the first quarter and 32 scored in the third compared to 13 in the second and 15 in the fourth indicate a lack of consistency, especially in blended lineups featuring starters and reserves. Nearly allowing the Fever to steal the game after leading by 14 points likewise is a concern. Indiana’s own defensive issues also may deserve significant credit for Atlanta’s offensive output.

Still, after a season-opening loss in DC, escaping with a road win over a team that has been crowned as contenders suggests that this will not be the same ol’ disappointing Dream. They can confirm that on Thursday, as the two teams will meet again with the Dream hosting the Fever for their home opener.

Aces go wild

Up in Connecticut, the Aces dispensed with any drama, leading by as many as 35 points in an absolute domination of the Sun.

There’s not much to learn from this one. We know A’ja Wilson is awesome, as the reigning MVP totaled 22 points, 10 boards, three steals and two blocks. However, seeing Jewell Loyd drain six of her nine 3-point attempts on her way to 20 points had to make Aces fans feel better. After an underwhelming debut that saw her go 2-for-10 from the field and finish with five points, Loyd provided a reminder of the pure shotmaking she brings to the team, flashing her Gold Mamba form.

Going from playing the New York Liberty, riding high off their banner-raising celebration, to the Sun, a team that likely will wallow at the bottom of the standings, was quite the divergent experience for the Aces. Upcoming games against the spunky Washington Mystics and experienced Seattle Storm should offer a better barometer of where this team stands, as well as if Loyd can consistently play as a championship-caliber supporting star.