Dream vs. Mystics Game 2: Atlanta looks to close series Wednesday

The Atlanta Dream can close out their first-round series Wednesday night when they visit the Washington Mystics for Game 2 at CareFirst Arena. Atlanta leads the best-of-three set 1-0 after rallying from an 11-point deficit to win 92-77 on Sunday, and the biggest question is whether Washington can clean up the turnovers that buried it in Game 1.

Can Washington fix its turnover problem?

Washington committed 22 turnovers in Game 1, and Atlanta turned those giveaways into 27 points compared to just four for the Mystics, according to ESPN. Washington held a five-point lead at halftime before the Dream’s 29-12 third-quarter surge flipped the game. Mystics guard Sonia Citron said after the loss that Washington let its discipline slip once Atlanta got comfortable.

“In that third quarter, we just let some of our discipline slip,” Citron said, according to ESPN. “Once they get going, it’s really hard to stop them.”

The turnover issue is notable because Washington has beaten Atlanta twice already this season. Washington won 81-76 on July 2 and 79-74 on Aug. 7, both at home, though Atlanta blew out Washington 109-77 in Atlanta on June 6, per ESPN. Washington’s home success against the Dream this season gives the Mystics a track record to lean on if they can limit the giveaways.

Who leads each team into Game 2?

Atlanta guard Rhyne Howard led all scorers with 26 points and five steals in the Game 1 win, according to the Associated Press.

For Washington, guard Sonia Citron led the Mystics with 25 points. Forward Kiki Iriafen finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds, nine on the offensive glass. Center Shakira Austin had 12 points and 16 rebounds.

Defensive dominance defines Game 1

Atlanta set a franchise playoff record with 16 steals in Game 1, two shy of the WNBA mark of 18 set by Indiana in 2009, according to CBS Sports. The Dream’s suffocating defense created the turnovers that decided the series opener. Forward DeWanna Bonner scored 13 points and added 11 in a 18-5 run that put the game away in the second half.

Atlanta’s injury situation

The Dream are without forward Brionna Jones (left leg) and guard Matilde Villa (coach’s decision). Both are out for the remainder of the series.

Season stats: Who leads each roster

For Atlanta, Allisha Gray paces the Dream at 19.0 points per game with Angel Reese leading at 12.1 rebounds per game. Jordin Canada dishes out 7.3 assists per game. Washington’s Shakira Austin leads the Mystics at 17.0 points per game while Kiki Iriafen averages 9.6 rebounds. Guard Sonia Citron runs the offense with 4.4 assists per game.

The key matchup

Atlanta’s defensive pressure against Washington’s ball security stands out as the defining battle. The Dream forced 22 turnovers in Game 1, converting them into 27 points. If Washington protects the ball, their offense has enough scoring punch to extend the series.

s defensive pressure against Washington’s ball security stands out as the defining battle. The Dream forced 22 turnovers in Game 1, converting them into 27 points. Washington has not won a playoff game since capturing the 2019 WNBA championship. The Mystics are in the postseason for the first time since 2023. If Washington protects the ball, their offense has enough scoring punch to extend the series.

What comes next

A loss ends Washington’s season. Howard acknowledged the challenge ahead. “The next game is going to be hard.

They’re going to want to come out with more aggression,” Howard said, per ESPN. “What we did in the first half, we can’t have happen again.” Atlanta enters the matchup on a five-game winning streak.

Washington has won seven of their last eight regular-season games.

Game 2 tips off at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday on ESPN at CareFirst Arena in Washington. A Game 3 would follow in Atlanta if the Mystics force one.

Reporting from CBS Sports, The Associated Press, FOX Sports and ESPN contributed to this story. Official statistics: ESPN (official league data).