WNBA Notebook: Atlanta off to Dream start, its best since 2016, led by Gray

Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (15) goes up for a shot against Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers in a WNBA game on May 24, 2025. PHOTO: Atlanta Dream

By W.G. RAMIREZ

Karl Smesko was well known for his offensive style at Florida Gulf Coast, leading the Eagles to 10 NCAA Women's Tournament berths with one of the most balanced attacks in the nation.

After a 1-2 start in his first year as coach of the Atlanta Dream, his team is developing into a menacing product for opponents in the WNBA after four straight wins, including a pair of road wins in Los Angeles and Seattle.

Atlanta's 5-2 start is the team’s best start to a season since 2016.

Heading into the week, the Dream have the second-highest scoring offense with 85.9 points per game and are the No. 1 rebounding team with 38.9 boards per contest.

At the other end, they're ranked eighth in allowing 80.6 ppg., but during their four-game win streak, they're allowing the league’s third-lowest 74.8 ppg.

"I think recently, we've shown much better composure down the stretch of games," Smesko said. “Pulling together, understanding what shots we're looking for at the end of games. I just thought we've been a lot better in those situations."

Smesko said with games being close on any given night in the W, his team has learned to prepare for contests coming down to one or two possessions at the end of a game.

"I really like the last two games, how we've been in these situations," Smesko added.

Star guard Allisha Gray was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week, marking the first Player of the Week honor in her career.

Gray averaged 26.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game last week, all while shooting 65.2% from the field and 62.5% from 3-point range.

"The level that she's been playing at to start the season has been remarkable," Smesko said about the two-time WNBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist.

But this team is much more than Gray, with three other players averaging double digits, including Rhyne Howard, who is scoring 17.6 points and grabbing 5.6 rebounds and dishing 5.0 assists per contest.

In their first seasons with Atlanta, Brionna Jones and Brittney Griner have been a 1-2 punch in the paint.

Jones is averaging 13.9 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, while Griner is scoring 12.2 points and snatching 6.4 boards per contest.

Beyond their main quartet, though, Smesko is finding a comfortability throughout the rotation, be it Nia Coffey, Naz Hillmon, Te-Hina PaoPao, Maya Caldwell or Shatori Walker-Kimbrough - they're all averaging at least 13 minutes per game and have all provided support in some fashion over the first seven games.

"I think there's definitely confidence that the players have in one another," Smesko said. "They get along really well on the court and off the court, and they're just kind of building a chemistry.

"I think the more you share the ball, and the more you make good decisions, people's confidence grows and their belief in one another grows, so, we're just trying to get better at that. Play to everybody's greatness, and we've gotten a little bit better each game, hopefully we can continue."

A'JA BLOCK PARTY - Reigning MVP and freshly named Western Conference Player of the Week A'ja Wilson leads the league with 16 blocks through six games. She registered a season-high four against the Seattle Storm in Sunday's win. Her career high for a game is seven, which she's done twice. Her 16 blocks are the third-highest through six games. She registered 18 in 2022 and 17 through six contests last season.

CLOUD 9 IN THE BIG APPLE - It's no secret what Natasha Cloud has provided for the undefeated New York Liberty (7-0), solidifying the defending champs as the clear favorite to repeat, all due respect to fellow-unbeaten Minnesota. Cloud's 76 points are the third-highest output through her first seven gams during her 10-year career, while her 48 assists are the second-highest. She's also registered 12 steals, the second most through seven games, and a career-high five blocks.

BACK IN THE W - Signed to hardship contracts, Aari McDonald and Haley Jones were signed by the Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury, respectively. Both were released during training camp, which was a shock by many. McDonald became one of first-year coach Lynne Roberts' casualties when she was waived by the Los Angeles Sparks on May 14. What might have been even more shocking was Jones' release from the Dream on the same day. Jones had played her entire WNBA career in Atlanta, which drafted the 23-year-old with the sixth pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft. The two were Pac-12 rivals when Jones led Stanford to the national championship over McDonald and Arizona in 2021.

MYSTICAL ROOKIE TANDEM - Washington's first-year duo of Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen has been a big reason the Mystics are sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference. At 3-4, the Mystics are showing promise under first-year coach Sydney Johnson, with Citron (14.3) and Iriafen (13.9) being two of three players scoring in double digits. Among all rookies in the W, the two rank second and third in scoring, respectively.

POWER RANKINGS - The weekly WGRamirez.com power rankings arrive every Tuesday, one day after the weekly notebook. Part of the notebook teases the first half of the rankings, giving you a peek at the top six teams.

1. Liberty (7-0) - (LW: 1) The defending champs went 4-0 the past week in what might not have been the most daunting schedule, but three of which came against two scrappy teams, Golden State (twice) and Washington. The Liberty visit D.C. on Thursday with their only game this week.

2. Lynx (7-0) - (LW: 2) The defending runner-up made it a 3-0 week with a home win over a very good defensive Seattle team, and two impressive road wins against Phoenix and Golden State. Tuesday night's rematch against the Mercury, before the Lynx visit Dallas.

3. Mercury (5-2) - (LW: 4) Phoenix climbs one spot after going 2-1, the lone loss to the Lynx. This week will be its biggest test to date, in having to visit Minnesota, then host Golden State and Seattle. A healthy Merc team could finish a top-four seed.

4. Aces (4-2) - (LW: 5) We may finally be seeing Las Vegas reach its full potential, with Wilson looking more and more like the Defensive Player of the Year, and the bench providing top-notch results during a 2-0 week.

5. Dream (5-2) - (LW: 7) Up a couple of spots is Atlanta. The 3-0 week is no fluke, as this team is loaded with talent and has the weapons to execute Smesko's offensive scheme.

6. Storm (3-4) - (LW: 3) Seattle isn't as bad as we saw during a 0-3 week, but it needs to turn things around quickly. A boost of confidence could come Tuesday when the Storm host the Paige Bueckers-less Dallas Wings.