This story was originally published by Dead Spin
The Atlanta Dream look like a new team in their return from the extended break for the Paris Olympics.
The Dream (9-17) have excelled in their two games back, defeating the Seattle Storm and Connecticut Sun — two of the top five teams in the WNBA. They’ll be going for their first three-game winning streak of the season on Wednesday night when they host the Phoenix Mercury for two home games across a three-night span in College Park, Ga.
“Just their ability to come together during those moments and stay composed, and believe that they’re fine,” coach Tanisha Wright said. “Then go out there and continue to execute.”
Entering the break, the Dream had lost eight straight games.
The Mercury (15-13) stand 2-1 since the break, splitting a pair of road games before toppling the visiting Chicago Sky 86-68 on Sunday.
Diana Taurasi posted 23 points against Chicago, marking the third time in the past 10 games that Kahleah Copper wasn’t the top scorer for the Mercury.
The addition of power forward Monique Billings, who previously played for the Dallas Wings, could be a big plus for the Mercury. She had 13 points and eight rebounds Sunday in her first game with the team.
On Sunday, the Mercury announced she signed a seven-day contract.
“She’s a warrior,” Phoenix coach Nate Tibbetts said. “To get her energy from an athletic standpoint, her rebounding ability. She can help us in those areas.”
As for Atlanta, Wright said having guard Jordin Canada at full speed has been a difference maker the past two games. Canada played in only four games prior to the layoff but poured in a combined 29 points the past two games.
“Her ability to find her teammates, her ability to keep us calm and confident,” Wright said. “She’s a great leader out there. There were plenty of times where I looked and we had a play called and they went with it.”
The Dream have received big games from Rhyne Howard (30 points vs. Seattle) and Tina Charles (22 points, 15 rebounds vs. Connecticut) in the past week.
In the only previous matchup between the teams this year, the Mercury posted an 88-85 victory in mid-May during the opening week of the season, with Copper pouring in 38 points for Phoenix. She made 13 free throws in that game.
–Field Level Media
