The Atlanta Dream are back in Los Angeles for a Monday night rematch, fresh off clinching a playoff spot for the 2026 postseason. This is the same Dream squad that utterly obliterated the Sparks last Thursday, hanging a brutal 36-point loss on them. Talk about a tough rebound game!
Revenge Game or Repeat Nightmare?
The Sparks (13-24) finally snapped their long losing streak on Saturday, taking down the Connecticut Sun. You’d think that’d build some momentum, but that game against the Sun wasn’t exactly pretty. The Sparks actually led by 22 in the fourth quarter, then went six minutes and 12 seconds without scoring, barely pulling out a nine-point win. Against a Dream team that shot a ridiculous 64 percent last Thursday, that kind of dry spell is an absolute death sentence. The Dream (24-13) are coming in hot, defeating the Phoenix Mercury to secure their playoff spot. They are absolutely not a “brand new team” and they are certainly not “brand new to obliterating their opponents.”
Angel Reese and the Dream’s Offensive Firepower
Last Thursday, Rhyne Howard dropped 26 points for the Dream. But let’s be real, it was Angel Reese who absolutely dominated, putting up a near-triple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. Get this: Reese didn’t miss a single one of her nine field goal attempts! Coach Roberts said it best: “I don’t know if it’s a learning thing… I think it’s a respect thing.” He added, “man, she competes. And she plays so hard and I respect the hell out of that.” The Dream’s depth is no joke either, with Jordin Canada nearly getting a double-double (9 points, 11 assists), Naz Hillmon adding 14 points and 4 blocks, Allisha Gray scoring 13, and rookie Madina Okot chipping in 12 points and 6 boards off the bench.
Sparks Need to Spark Up the Defense
The Sparks’ offense was good last Thursday, but they just couldn’t get a stop. Plain and simple. They absolutely have to bring the defense they showed on Saturday, even if the Dream is a much tougher opponent than the Sun. That physicality, especially against a player like Reese, is going to be crucial. Rae Burrell, who’s been lighting it up lately averaging 17.8 points and shooting over 40 percent from three in her last 12 games, needs a much better start than Thursday’s scoreless first half. Young talent like newcomer Tonie Morgan, averaging 5.6 points in her five games, and rookie Chance Gray, shooting 40 percent from three in her last six games off the bench, need to step up too. Cameron Brink’s continued foul trouble is a real concern as this season winds down.
This Monday rematch is huge. Can the Sparks harness that defensive energy from Saturday and avoid another offensive drought? Or will the Dream, now playoff bound and full of confidence, stomp all over them again? It’s time to find out what these young Sparks are truly made of!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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