Atlanta Dream defeated Seattle Storm 89-78 on Thursday, July 9, claiming a valuable home result at Gateway Center behind Allisha Gray’s 22-point display and a decisive first-half surge. Atlanta built control early, carried a 17-point interval advantage, and never allowed Seattle to fully close the gap.
This was a fixture the Dream largely controlled through tempo, interior work, and trips to the line. Atlanta put 29 points on the board in the opening period and followed it with 26 more in the second, turning the match in their favor before halftime. Seattle stayed organized enough to avoid the contest getting away completely, but the Storm were always chasing once the Dream established that cushion.
The key stretch came in the first half, when Atlanta paired assertive ball-handling with repeated pressure around the basket. Jordin Canada set the rhythm beautifully, finishing with 14 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and three steals, while Gray supplied the most reliable scoring touch. Angel Reese added important presence on the glass with 11 rebounds as the Dream edged the rebounding battle 37-35 and limited Seattle’s second-chance opportunities.
Seattle had useful contributions of their own, especially from Natisha Hiedeman, who finished with 20 points to lead the visitors. Flau’jae Johnson chipped in as a playmaker with five assists, and Dominique Malonga collected nine rebounds. The Storm actually shot a slightly better overall percentage from the floor at 45.5 percent to Atlanta’s 41.7, but their 3-for-20 return from three-point range made it difficult to sustain a comeback. Atlanta, meanwhile, made the result secure at the foul line, converting 23 of 26 free throws.
Tactically, the Dream’s edge came from control rather than flair. They did not need a huge night from beyond the arc, hitting only six threes, because they consistently created contact, forced Seattle into uncomfortable defensive possessions, and managed the flow of the final two periods. Even when the Storm narrowed the third quarter slightly, Atlanta stayed composed and closed out the fixture without surrendering momentum.
Key performers
Atlanta Dream: Allisha Gray led the way with 22 points, while Jordin Canada’s all-around line of 14 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and three steals gave Atlanta its platform. Angel Reese’s 11 rebounds were also central to the home side’s control.
Seattle Storm: Natisha Hiedeman’s 20 points kept Seattle competitive for long stretches, and Dominique Malonga added nine rebounds in a solid interior shift.
NerdSports Stat: Atlanta were only 6-for-26 from three-point range, but still won by 11 because they finished plus-8 at the foul line and plus-2 on the glass while building a 55-point first half.
The result moves Atlanta to 13-9 overall and strengthens the Dream’s hold on a positive home record at 7-3. For Seattle, now 6-18 and 2-10 on the road, the search for consistency continues after another fixture in which long-range shooting let them down. The Dream will hope to carry this controlled performance into their next fixture, while the Storm need a quicker start next time out if they are to turn competitive stretches into results.
Frequently Asked Questions
No goal scorers were listed for this Women’s National Basketball Association fixture. Atlanta were led by Allisha Gray with 22 points, while Natisha Hiedeman had 20 for Seattle.
Atlanta Dream 89 – 78 Seattle Storm.
Atlanta improved to 13-9 and strengthened their position in the upper half of the standings, while Seattle dropped to 6-18 and remain under pressure near the bottom.
Allisha Gray was the standout performer with 22 points, while Jordin Canada’s all-around display also played a huge part in the victory.
