Preseason Game #1 Recap: Atlanta Dream 80 @Washington Mystics 70

5/7/25

The Atlanta Dream opened the Karl Smesko era with a preseason win, jumping out to a 30–10 first-quarter lead and holding off a late push from the Washington Mystics to secure an 80–70 preseason victory. Atlanta finished with the double-digit win despite emptying the bench and resting key rotation players in the second half.

The Good

Smesko’s system was on full display. The Dream attempted all but two of their 72 field goals either at the rim or behind the arc—a shot chart that would make any analytics-minded coach proud. The very first play of the game saw Jordin Canada penetrate the lane and kick out to Brittney Griner for a wide-open three. Griner hit both of her three-point attempts, while Brionna Jones, Allisha Gray, and Rhyne Howard also stretched the floor. Howard led the team with nine three-point attempts, and rookie Te-Hina Paopao fired seven of her own. Here’s the shot chart from the game:

Atlanta’s hot start was fueled by efficient shooting, unselfish ball movement, and strong energy on both ends. The team’s top three players by plus-minus were Howard (+23), Griner (+21), and Gray (+18).

The Bad

The game’s biggest story was an unfortunate one: starting point guard Jordin Canada exited just 36 seconds into the game with a right knee injury. She was ruled out before halftime, casting a shadow over Atlanta’s otherwise promising performance. With Shyanne Sellers out, the Dream rotated several players at the point, including Paopao (19 minutes), Haley Jones (7 minutes), and Emani Jefferson (2 minutes).

Here’s what Richard Cohen had to say on Bluesky about Atlanta’s rotation after Canada’s injury:

Other Notes

• Rookie update: Te-Hina Paopao showed confidence taking shots, but struggled from deep, going 1-for-7 from beyond the arc in her 20 minutes.Taylor Thierry played 14 minutes. Shyanne Sellers was a DNP-COACH’S DECISION.
• Shatori Walker-Kimbrough and Paopao each logged 20 minutes, possibly in response to Canada’s injury.
• Atlanta’s worst plus-minus numbers came from bench players: Hillmon (-16), Thierry (-10), and Joens (-6).

This was just preseason, but Atlanta’s spacing, shooting mentality, and depth give fans reasons for optimism—pending the status of Canada.