Allisha Gray scores 26 as Dream get revenge vs. Mystics

Allisha Gray poured in 26 points and converted a key three-point play in the final minute as the host Atlanta Dream avenged an ugly loss from earlier in the week by defeating the Washington Mystics 94-89 on Friday night. Nia Coffey and AD Durr both ended up with 15 points for the Dream (6-8), which snapped a three-game pc losing streak. Rhyne Howard tallied 14 points, returning after limping off for treatment in the first half. Howard also provided a game-high eight assists. Coffey also had a late three-point play, coming with 15.1 seconds left for the game’s final points. Gray shot 10-for-18 from the field. Elena Delle Donne’s 31 points led the Mystics (9-6), and Brittney Sykes and Natasha Cloud both had 15 points. Ariel Atkins added 10 points. Washington was aided by 22-for-26 shooting on free throws, but made only 3 of 18 launches from 3-point range. There was a vastly different tone from two nights earlier when the teams met in Washington, where the Mystics led by 28 at halftime on the way to a 109-86 romp. Plus, Atlanta coach Tanisha Wright was back with the team after missing the matchup earlier in the week because of personal reasons. The Dream went up 65-57 late in the third quarter as Washington managed only nine points in the first 8 1/2 minutes of the second half, but was within 67-61 going to the fourth quarter despite a 2-for-12 mark on 3-pointers for the game at that juncture. Durr’s three free throws expanded the lead to 73-64. Washington held a 48-47 halftime lead despite four 3-point baskets by Atlanta. The Dream led 28-22 after the first quarter. The Mystics led only temporarily until a 7-0 run late in the first half gave them a 46-41 lead. Guard Linnae Harper made her season debut for the Mystics in the second half. —Field Level Media