The Atlanta Dream completed an easy 86-49 road win over the Chicago Sky on Wednesday, despite playing without injured All-Star Rhyne Howard.
The Sky played without All-Star Angel Reese, a late scratch due to a leg injury, and did not score more than 13 points in a quarter.
Atlanta (13-9) never trailed, scoring the game’s first seven points and pulling out to a double-digit lead by the end of the first quarter. A 33-point third quarter demonstrated Atlanta’s dominance as the Dream led by as many as 43 points.
The Dream placed four players in double figure scoring, led by veteran center Brittney Griner, who played under 20 minutes but still managed 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting. Brionna Jones added 14 points and nine rebounds, and Allisha Gray chipped in 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Reserve Te-Hina Paopao added 13 points and fellow reserve Naz Hillmon tallied 10 points off the bench. Every active Dream player scored in the game.
Chicago (7-15) had its fewest points of the season, eclipsing the 52 points they put up in a loss to the Indiana Fever on June 7. The Sky looked lost offensively from the open without Reese and starting guard Ariel Atkins, also out with a leg injury.
A basket in the final minute saved Chicago from the franchise’s lowest scoring effort ever, which remains 48 points against the Detroit Shock in 2006.
Chicago was led by reserve guard Rebecca Allen, whose nine points came on 3-for-7 shooting from 3-point range. Kamilla Cardoso had eight points and 11 rebounds for Chicago.
They Sky shot 18-for-71 overall (25.4 percent) and just 11-for-51 (21.6 percent) on two-point attempts. A 6-for-18 (33 percent) shooting performance in the fourth quarter was the only stanza in which the Sky shot better than 23.8 percent.
Following the All-Star Game on Saturday, the teams return to action on Tuesday. Atlanta will play at Las Vegas, and Chicago will travel to meet league-leading Minnesota.
–Field Level Media
