The Atlanta Dream snapped their brutal losing streak by defeating the Los Angeles Sparks 101-92 on Monday night. Angel Reese dominated the floor with 23 points and 13 rebounds, returning to the starting lineup after sitting out one game. That performance stabilized an Atlanta squad that had previously dropped six of its last seven matchups.
Los Angeles forced a chaotic finish, erasing a 14-point second-half deficit to briefly take the lead late in the fourth quarter. But the Dream found their perimeter shooting right when it mattered, sealing the victory with a rapid scoring surge that buried the Sparks’ comeback attempt.
What We Know
- Reese returned from a lower leg injury to secure her 16th double-double of the 2026 season.
- Erica Wheeler led Los Angeles with 20 points while filling the offensive void left by a depleted roster.
- Atlanta launched a decisive 9-0 run late in the fourth quarter to finally break an 87-87 tie.
The pacing of this game swung wildly after halftime. Atlanta comfortably held a 14-point advantage, but Los Angeles clawed back into contention using a heavy 12-2 run in the third quarter. Sparked by Dearica Hamby and Wheeler, Los Angeles eventually pushed ahead 87-85 in the final frame. The Dream needed an immediate answer.
Reese provided exactly that. She hit a crucial go-ahead three-pointer to break the ensuing 87-87 tie and initiate the final 9-0 run. She finished the night shooting 7-of-11 from the field and an unblemished 8-of-8 from the free-throw line. Her performance marked her league-leading 16th double-double of the year.
Allisha Gray and Jordin Canada kept the Atlanta offense humming down the stretch. Gray recorded 20 points, executing timely jump shots to hold off the Sparks. Canada operated as the primary facilitator, tallying 16 points and nine assists.
Los Angeles received solid individual outputs despite the loss. Beyond Wheeler’s 20 points, former MVP Nneka Ogwumike dropped 19 points against her former team, and Rae Burrell chipped in another 18 points off the bench. But the Sparks simply ran out of firepower while playing without Cameron Brink and Kelsey Plum, who both remained sidelined with severe leg injuries.
The Verdict
If you are an Atlanta fan, this is exactly the type of gritty win your team needed to save the season. Reese proved her leg injury is not a lingering issue, and the offense executed perfectly under fourth-quarter pressure. For Los Angeles, the lack of depth is an undeniable problem. Until Brink and Plum return to the court, the Sparks will struggle to close out tight games against healthy opponents.