After a close loss to the Mystics in the DMV, the Minnesota Lynx headed to Atlanta to take on the Dream, looking to get back in the win column after a loss to the Dallas Wings. With both teams looking to right the ship only one would prevail. Atlanta was at home, and the Lynx had Napheesa Collier back in the line up.
From the tip, the Lynx seemed in control. Atlanta scored the first bucket, and then the Lynx went on a 10 – 0 run. Atlanta began to claw back. Minnesota’s largest lead in the quarter was 10 which Atlanta trimmed to 8 by the end. Collier made her presence known,. scoring 11 of her game leading 26 points in the quarter.
It was in the second quarter that the Dream started to fight back, with all their starters contributing. They cut another three points off the Lynx lead, and went into halftime with Minnesota up 52 – 47, cutting what had been a 17 point Minnesota lead.
A Thrilling Second Half
After halftime, Atlanta came out with a head of steam, caught up to the Lynx, and then took the lead in a back and forth quarter. With Atlanta up by two points, Karlie Samuelson hit a three-point shot, and the Lynx held on to a 69 – 68 lead.
The fourth quarter was a rough and tumble affair with Atlanta pulling ahead and there Lynx playing catch up. The Dream opened up a 7 point lead on a Jordin Canada layup with 3:50 remaining. But a costly foul by Canada put Collier at the line, and with Minnesota down by two, Collier hit both free throws. 86 – 86. Overtime.
Overtime Between Minnesota and Atlanta
After Atlanta took a four point lead at 90 – 86, the Lynx went on a 10 – 2 run. The Lynx took a 92 – 90 lead on a Collier two point shot. Minnesota challenged at 54.8 seconds with the call overturned. The Lynx challenged a call again with 20.5 seconds left. Call overturned. Kayla McBride hit a pair of free throws at 17.1 seconds. Allisha Gray made a lay up ay 14 seconds. Time out Lynx.
Naz Hillmon fouled McBride with 13. 1 seconds left. McBride hit another pair, putting the winning score at 96 – 92 Minnesota. Costly (for Atlanta) challenges, and timely free throws for Minnesota.
BACK IN THE W COLUMN. pic.twitter.com/M8l6Eor9hc
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) June 28, 2025
Atlanta is a very good team, with weapons and most of all, height. 52 of the Dream’s points were in the paint. With Brittney Griner, Brionna Jones, and the overall ability of Atlanta to score on the inside, Minnesota had a difficult time guarding the paint. But where Minnesota lacked on the inside, they excelled from the arc. The Lynx shot 13 3s while the Dream shot only four. Minnesota had 24 points in the paint. Each team had 16 turnovers, but Minnesota got 22 points off of Atlanta’s while the Dream took only 12.
There’s a lot to be said about being able to close out a game, which Minnesota has done more than once. But against a team like Atlanta, the paint and shooting efficiency need to take center stage. Atlanta needs to hone their shots from the arc. They have the shooters in Gray, Canada, and Rhyne Howard.
Up next for the Dream is a Sunday matchup with the New York Liberty in Atlanta. The Lynx head home to welcome the Connecticut Sun on Sunday.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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