The Atlanta Dream defeated the Washington Mystics 92-77 in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series Sunday, with Rhyne Howard leading all scorers with 26 points and adding five steals as Atlanta turned a five-point halftime deficit into a 15-point home victory at State Farm Arena.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Mystics 26, Dream 21
Washington established the early edge with a 26-point opening quarter. Sonia Citron set the pace for the Mystics, who carried a five-point lead into the second period.
Second Quarter: Dream 15, Mystics 15
Neither team gained ground in a level second quarter. Washington went to halftime ahead 41-36, having held Atlanta to 36 first-half points while maintaining its advantage from the opening period.
Third Quarter: Dream 29, Mystics 12
Atlanta changed the game in the third. The Dream outscored Washington 29-12, turning a five-point halftime deficit into a 65-53 lead. Howard’s scoring and defensive activity helped Atlanta take control during the decisive 10 minutes.
Fourth Quarter: Dream 27, Mystics 24
The Mystics posted 24 points in the final quarter, but Atlanta answered with 27 to protect its margin. The Dream were particularly reliable at the foul line, finishing 25-for-26, to close out the Game 1 win.
Key Performers
Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream: Howard led all scorers with 26 points and recorded five steals. Her two-way performance helped fuel Atlanta’s third-quarter turnaround.
Jordin Canada, Atlanta Dream: Canada distributed 11 assists, accounting for a major share of Atlanta’s 16 total assists.
Angel Reese, Atlanta Dream: Reese led Atlanta with 12 rebounds, providing an important presence on the glass despite Washington’s team rebounding advantage.
Sonia Citron, Washington Mystics: Citron scored 25 points, added six rebounds and handed out three assists in Washington’s Game 1 loss.
Shakira Austin, Washington Mystics: Austin collected a game-high 16 rebounds as the Mystics finished with a 50-31 advantage on the boards.
NerdSports Stat: Washington outrebounded Atlanta 50-31 and shot a slightly better 41.2% from the field, yet the Dream won by 15 after making 25 of 26 free throws and outscoring the Mystics 56-36 across the second half.
Game Analysis
Atlanta’s third-quarter response was the defining factor in the result. After scoring only 36 points before halftime, the Dream put up 29 in the third alone while limiting Washington to 12. That 17-point swing gave Atlanta the cushion it needed entering the final period.
The Dream found an edge at the free-throw line, converting 96.2% of their attempts compared with Washington’s 68.2%. Atlanta made 10 more free throws than the Mystics, a significant difference in a game where the two teams were nearly even in field-goal percentage.
Washington’s 50 rebounds and 41.2% shooting show the Mystics generated several productive possessions, but Atlanta created eight more field-goal attempts, moved the ball effectively and made the most of its trips to the line. Howard’s 26 points and Canada’s playmaking supplied the lead production for the home side.
What the Result Means
Atlanta takes a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three first-round playoff series after improving its postseason record to 1-0. Washington, now 0-1 in the series, will look to even the matchup in Game 2 after seeing its halftime lead disappear during Atlanta’s decisive third-quarter run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Atlanta Dream defeated Washington Mystics 92-77 on September 27, 2026.
Rhyne Howard scored 26 points; her individual shooting percentage was not provided in the available box score.
After the win, Atlanta sits 1-0 in the first-round playoff series.
Rhyne Howard was the standout performer with 26 points and five steals.
