Big second half lifts Dream to 79-63 win over Valkyries

With the win, the Dream (22-12) captured the season series against the Valkyries (18-16), secured their league-best 12th road win and held firm in second place in the WNBA standings. The Dream also improved to 12-3 overall this season and 7-2 on the road when holding opponents under 80 points.

Ahead by 11 to start the fourth, the Dream quickly pulled away and never looked back. Howard opened the quarter with a five-point burst including a deep 3-pointer that helped stretch the lead to 16. The three-time All-Star stayed in rhythm while Naz Hillmon dominated inside, and together, they poured in 16 of the Dream’s 26 points in the period to seal the win.

Rhyne Howard paced Atlanta with 14 points, five rebounds and six assists, leading a balanced effort that saw four other players score in double figures.

The Dream finished the game shooting 28-of-68 (41.2%) from the floor and 9-of-35 (25.7%) from beyond the arc, fueled by their second-half surge. Their first-half struggles had been glaring, going just 11-of-34 (32%) from the field and 2-of-17 from deep, leaving them searching for rhythm early before turning the contest around.

“Their (Dream) shots weren’t falling (and) I didn’t think we were getting as good as shots,” Dream coach Karl Smesko said about his team’s first-half offensive struggles. “We weren’t ready to shoot it when we caught it. … Our spacing was a little messed up … and I thought our spacing was a lot better in the second half. (It) made them (Valkyries) have to recover further and put a little more stress on the defense. … I thought we did a much better job getting the shots that we wanted (in the second half).”

Allisha Gray, who didn’t score until the opening minute of the third quarter on a pair of free throws, finished with 13 points alongside Brionna Jones, who also added 13. The duo combined for 12 rebounds and six assists.

Despite Gray’s slow start, coach Karl Smesko said he’s never truly concerned when she struggles early in a game.

“I trust her (Gray) to play good basketball,” Smesko said. “A slow start shooting the ball doesn’t bother me. … Every good player goes through that at some point. You just got to keep playing your game. There’s no saying you can’t hit the next three out of four (shots).”

Hillmon chipped in 12 points and five boards and rookie Te-Hina Paopao provided a spark off the bench with 10 points, four assists and two rebounds.

Veronica Burton led Golden State with 16 points, five assists and two steals, and Cecilia Zandalasini added 11 points, four rebounds and two assists.

The physical battle continued in the third quarter with neither team able to pull away through the first five minutes. Then, Gray took over. The three-time All-Star rattled off eight straight points, including back-to-back 3-pointers to spark a 10-3 run.

After Tiffany Hayes hit a free throw to make it 43-40, the Dream closed the period on another surge. Howard buried a deep 3 to cap a 9-2 spurt in the final 2:38, sending the Dream into the fourth with a 53-42 lead. Gray finished the frame with 12 points to lead a Dream team that went 4-of-8 from beyond the arc and a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line in that third quarter, key differences that helped the Dream create some separation.

The Valkyries threatened to break the game open when Temi Fágbénlé sliced down the lane for a layup that stretched the lead to 19-14. But Smesko quickly called timeout and the Dream answered. Howard buried a 3-pointer from the right wing, Brittney Griner muscled in a bucket inside and Paopao followed with a floater to give the Dream their first lead.

But Golden State had the final points of the half as Iliana Rupert drilled a 3-pointer from the top of the key to even the score at 25. Both teams shot under 35 percent in the opening half with the Dream’s 25 points marking a new season low for first half points. The Dream starters combined for only eight first half points while their bench contributed 17.

Golden State set the tone early, jumping out to an 8-4 lead with defense that kept the Dream out of rhythm. Both teams struggled from the field, shooting under 34 percent. But the Valkyries found their edge from long range. Hayes and Burton each buried 3-pointers, which was enough for Golden State to grab a 15-12 lead after the first quarter.

The Dream return to action Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET when they face the Las Vegas Aces.