The Atlanta Dream advanced to the WNBA semifinals for the first time since 2018 by defeating the Washington Mystics 93-75 in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday. The victory allowed Atlanta to close out the series and set up a semifinal matchup against the New York Liberty, with Game 1 scheduled to be played in Atlanta on Sunday.

Allisha Gray led the Dream with 22 points, while Jordin Canada, a former UCLA player, delivered a crucial performance with 19 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter. Canada also contributed 11 assists and seven rebounds. Her late-game surge featured back-to-back three-pointers and a mid-range jumper, helping Atlanta extend their lead to 89-70 with under three minutes remaining. Rhyne Howard and Angel Reese each added 15 points for Atlanta before Howard fouled out early in the final quarter. Naz Hillmon also chipped in 10 points.

Washington’s Sonia Citron led all scorers with 25 points. Kiki Iriafen, who previously starred at USC, recorded a significant double-double with 15 points and 16 rebounds, becoming the first player in Mystics franchise history to achieve a first-half double-double in a playoff game. Despite this, the Mystics struggled with turnovers, committing 11 in the first half, which contributed to Atlanta building a 41-28 lead late in the second quarter.

The Mystics rallied at the end of the first half with a 7-0 run, capped by a basket from Citron just before the halftime buzzer. Washington maintained momentum into the third quarter, opening with a 14-2 run to narrow the gap to 65-62. However, Atlanta responded decisively, scoring the next 13 points, including another three-pointer from Canada, to restore a double-digit lead at 78-62.

The Dream have now overcome first-round exits in the last three seasons and will look to continue their playoff success as they face the Liberty in the semifinals.