Short-handed Dream ride big 2nd half to put away Sun

Allisha Gray and Nia Coffey each scored 18 points as the short-handed Atlanta Dream relied on an impressive second half to pull away from the visiting Connecticut Sun in a 79-55 victory.

The game was competitive until the third quarter, when Atlanta stretched a 37-33 halftime edge to a 63-48 advantage heading into the final period.

The Sun pulled within 44-41 on a pair of Marina Mabrey free throws with 6:58 left in the third, but the Dream reeled off a 13-3 run that established a double-digit lead for the rest of the game. Maya Caldwell had a pair of 3-pointers in that run, while Gray added another trey.

Atlanta (3-2) was without not only Jordin Canada, who has been out all season, but also starters Brittney Griner and Te-Hina Paopao. Paopao suffered a facial injury in Atlanta's win over Dallas on Saturday, while Griner was announced shortly before the game as out of action due to a knee injury.

On Sunday, Atlanta was led by Gray's 18 points on 6-for-11 shooting. Nia Coffey, in her first start of the season, tied for high-scoring honors with 18 points to go along with 11 rebounds. Caldwell, the other new starter, tallied 12 points while Rhyne Howard added 11.

Even without Griner, the Dream won the rebounding battle 52-34.

Connecticut (0-4) faded badly in the second half, shooting 8-for 30 (26.7 percent) over the final two quarters. The Sun's 55 points were the fewest the team has scored since an 81-51 loss to Indiana on September 1, 2015.

The Sun were led by Mabrey's 12 points and 10 boards. Tina Charles added 11 points and seven rebounds but shot just 5-for-20 from the field. Olivia Nelson-Ododa chipped in with 11 points for the Sun.

With the win, Atlanta posts a winning record for the first time since June 6, 2024.

--Field Level Media