ATLANTA â The No. 4 seed Atlanta Dream rolled over the No. 5 seed Washington Mystics, 92-77, in Game 1 of the first round of the 2026 WNBA Playoffs on Sunday.
Washington arrived in Atlanta after winning nine of its last 11 matchups, including four straight before the playoffs, but a huge second half by Atlanta cut their bid to win five straight short. The Dream outscored Washington 56-36 in the second half after being down 41-36 at halftime.
The Mystics’ second-ranked defense (103.3 rating) was giving the Dream all it could handle before DeWanna Bonner scored 11 of her 13 points in the third quarter. Then, Rhyne Howard took over in the fourth quarter with 10 points in the frame.
“It’s just that elevation of understanding the moment, and being locked in,” Mystics head coach Sydney Johnson said. “I’m sitting beside (Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron). It’s their first playoff game. There’s a lot of good stuff out there. So it’s just exciting. We’re disappointed about the loss, but I’m excited to take this first step forward with Kiki and Sonia and our whole group.”
Howard finished with 26 points, five steals and a block. Atlanta had four more players in double digits, including Angel Reese, who got her first playoff double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
Sonia Citron had 25 points, six assists and two blocked shots for Washington.
“The next (game) will be harder than this one,” Howard said. “They’re gonna wanna come out with more aggression. They’re gonna wanna fight a little bit hard because it will be their season on the line. Not ours.
“What we did in the first half, we can’t have another half like that ever. I think next game, they’re gonna wanna come out and capitalize on the mistakes that we did make. So I think making sure that we’re playing our defense for a full 40 minutes is gonna be key because you wanna take their confidence early. (We) wanna make sure that we put them away early. There’s not a team that you can just play around with.”
USA TODAY Sports provided full coverage of Sunday’s WNBA playoff matchup between the Mystics and Dream. Here’s how the game unfolded:
Mystics vs. Dream is a double-double affair
There are multiple players with double-doubles across the Mystics and Dream. Angel Reese has 11 points and 10 rebounds. Shakria Austin 12 points and 15 rebounds. Kiki Iriafen has 15 points and 14 boards.
Allisha Gray picks up 4th foul, Dream in foul trouble vs. Mystics
The Dream are in foul trouble late. Angel Reese has five fouls. Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray have four. The crowd has not been a fan of the calls. They have actively booed the referee crew.
Rhyne Howard taking over the 4th quarter in Mystics vs. Dream
Rhyne Howard might have just looked at her watch because it’s “Rhy Time.” The Dream guard has 26 points, 10 in the fourth quarter. She also has *checks notes* five steals and a block.
Dream rolling in fourth quarter with 17-point lead
Atlanta is rolling in the fourth quarter with a 17-point lead. The Dream are clicking offensively and getting timely stops. The lead is 74-57 with 7:30 remaining.
However, Rhyne Howard just picked up her fourth foul. Something to keep an eye on. Angel Reese also just picked up her 5th foul with 7:10 remaining.
End of 3Q: Dream 65, Mystics 53
Hello, Atlanta Dream. They found their offense with a 29-point third quarter to take a lead that was as high as 13 points. The Dream lead, 65-53, at the end of the third, with players in double figures. Allisha Gray leads all scorers with 17 points, but it was DeWanna Bonner in the third who helped Atlanta get out in front. Bonner worked her way up to 11 points and was helpful on the defensive end, too, with two steals.
For Washington, Sonia Citron leads the group with 15 points.
DeWanna Bonner is taking over Mystics vs. Dream
Veteran DeWanna Bonner, who came over in a trade midseason from the Mercury, has 11 points off the bench, and Atlanta has responded with offense. The Dream lead 58-48 in the third with about 3 minutes remaining in the frame.
Dream respond with big run, huge 3-pointer from DeWanna Bonner
Playoff DeWanna Bonner is officially here. Bonner hit a ginormous 3-pointer from easily 30-plus feet out to extend Atlanta’s lead to five. Bonner then secured a steal to give Atlanta momentum. Moments later, she had another one.It’s 52-45, Dream at the 4:10 mark of the third. Atlanta says, “game on.”
Rapper 2 Chainz is on site at Mystics vs. Dream in WNBA Playoffs
Angel Reese picks up 3rd, 4th fouls early in the third quarter vs. Mystics
Dream star Angel Reese is now in foul trouble vs. the Mystics. Just two minutes into the third frame, Reese picked up her third and fourth fouls. She’ll likely have to sit a while. There are still seven minutes remaining and an entire fourth quarter.
Second-half action is underway for Mystics vs. Dream
We are back up and running as the Dream host the Mystics in Atlanta. Second-half basketball is underway.
The Dream opened with a 7-0 run in the period’s opening minutes to take the lead 43-41 with just under nine minutes in the quarter.
Halftime: Mystics 41, Dream 36
The Mystics are giving the Dream all they can handle. They have a five-point lead, and it feels like it could be more. Every time Atlanta gets close, Washington comes back with more shots. It’s a strang sight for a Dream team that averages 91 points per game. Credit to Washington’s stout defense. It’s forced a lot of tough shots that didn’t fall.
The Mystics are shooting 45% from the field, while Atlanta is shooting 28%. The thing keeping Atlanta close? It’s defense. Atlanta has nine steals and has forced 12 turnovers. Rhyne Howard (12 points) and Allisha Gray (10 points) lead all scorers, but seven different Mystics have scored.
Dream cut Mystics lead to two before halftime
The Atlanta Dream are trying everything they can to cut the Mystics’ lead heading into halftime. The Dream are up 13-10 in the period, and it’s 36-32 with three minutes remaining in the period. If offense is what you came for, it’s here, but this is not a high-scoring affair.
Each team has three blocks, and the Dream have a staggering six steals.
Mystics winning paint battle vs. Dream in WNBA playoffs
The Mystics are up 16-12 in paints scored in the paint. They are winning the battle versus Atlanta, who is one of the league’s top-scoring teams in the painted area. It’s 36-28, Mystics at 5:49 of the second quarter, and Madina Okot, who is 6-foot-6, just checked in to help with Washington’s size.
Watch Mystics center Shakira Austin cook vs. Dream in playoffs
Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen picks up 3rd first-half foul
Atlanta is struggling to contain Washington’s bigs, but Kiki Iriafen in foul trouble could change that. The Mystics forward picked up her third foul at the 8:49 mark of the second quarter.
End of 1Q: Mystics 26, Dream 21
The Mystics are not playing around. They have started hot in Atlanta. The young core has is a blistering 5-of-6 from deep to Atlanta’s one triple. Washington is also shooting nearly 53% from the field to the Dream’s 32%.
Something to keep an eye on: Washington has six different players who have scored, but also has six turnovers as it maintains control in the first.
Dream guard Rhyne Howard leads all scorers with 10 points. Allisha Gray and Washington guard Sonia Citron are right behind with eight points.
Dream star Rhyne Howard gets quick 8 points vs. Mystics
Dream star Angel Reese sheds mask vs. Mystics
Angel Reese barely lasted a quarter with her mask before she discarded it at the five-minute mark of the first. We’ll see how it affects her game not having it.
Mystics build nearly 10-point lead vs. Dream
It’s 14-5, Mystics at the 5:14 mark of the first quarter as Washington has cashed in from deep. The Mystics have nailed three triples from behind the line.
“Ref, you suck” cheers are reigning down from State Farm Arena as Jordin Canada took some contact and landed on her lower back. No foul was called.
Mystics open with an 8-3 run in first quarter vs. Dream
The Mystics are not afraid of the moment. They are crashing the paint and using ball movement to get Atlanta off balance. They lead 8-3 with 6:58 remaining.
However, Kiki Iriafen just picked up her second foul about three minutes into the ballgame.
Game 1 of Mystics vs. Dream is underway in the WNBA playoffs
The Mystics and Dream are off and running at State Farm Arena. Dream won the tipoff. Rhyne Howard cashed the game’s first points, a bounce-in 3-ball.
Mystics starters vs. Dream in WNBA playoffs
Dream starters vs. Mystics in WNBA playoffs
Mystics center Lauren Betts arrives in custom jacket
Angel Reese and the Dream are rolling. Can the Mystics stop them?
Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream are rolling, but so are Shakira Austin and the Mystics. Can Washington stop them?
Here’s a preview of Mystics vs. Dream ahead of Sunday’s game.
Mystics photos before WNBA playoff game vs. Dream
Dream reflect on Game 1 feelings before WNBA playoffs
Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas is on site for Mystics vs. Dream
Mystics players warm-up for WNBA playoff game vs. Dream
Dream players arrive at WNBA playoff game vs. Mystics
Dream turn State Farm Arena blue vs. Mystics
Mystics arrive at State Farm arena for WNBA playoffs
Dream star Angel Reese wears mask in warm-ups
Dream star Angel Reese is wearing a mask in pre-game warm-ups. It remains unclear if Reese will wear it in-game.
Here’s more on her facial injury and how it happened.
Dream get well wishes against Mystics
Mystics get love from other Washington D.C. teams
Dream ready for the challenge against Mystics
Mystics legend Elena Delle Donne banks 3-point shot
Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream first-round schedule
- Sunday, Sept. 27: Game 1 | 7 p.m. ET (Prime Video) | State Farm Arena
- Wednesday, Sept. 30: Game 2 | 7 p.m. ET (ESPN) | CareFirst Arena
- Friday, Oct. 2: Game 3 (if necessary) | TBD | State Farm Arena
2026 WNBA playoffs officials
The 20 referees assigned to the postseason include 17 on-court officials and three alternates. Here are the game officials assigned to the 2026 WNBA playoffs:
2026 WNBA playoffs bracket
No. 4 seed Atlanta Dream roster
Head coach: Karl Smesko
| # | NAME | POS | EXP | HT | COLLEGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00 | Naz Hillmon | F | 4 | 6′ 2″ | Michigan |
| 2 | Te-Hina Paopao | G | 1 | 5′ 9″ | South Carolina |
| 3 | Jordin Canada | G | 8 | 5′ 6″ | UCLA |
| 5 | Angel Reese | F | 2 | 6′ 3″ | LSU |
| 10 | Rhyne Howard | G | 4 | 6′ 2″ | Kentucky |
| 11 | Madina Okot | C | Rookie | 6′ 6″ | South Carolina |
| 15 | Allisha Gray | G | 9 | 6′ 0″ | South Carolina |
| 20 | Isobel Borlase | G | Rookie | 5′ 11″ | Australia |
| 21 | Indya Nivar | G | Rookie | 5′ 10″ | North Carolina |
| 23 | Sika Kone | F | 4 | 6′ 3″ | Mali |
| 24 | DeWanna Bonner | G | 17 | 6′ 4″ | Auburn |
| 33 | Shatori Walker-Kimbrough | G | 9 | 5′ 9″ | Maryland |
| 42 | Brionna Jones | F | 9 | 6′ 3″ | Maryland |
No. 5 seed Washington Mystics roster
Head coach: Sydney Johnson
| # | NAME | POS | EXP | HT | COLLEGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Shakira Austin | F | 4 | 6′ 5″ | Mississippi |
| 2 | Alicia Florez | G | Rookie | 5′ 10″ | Spain |
| 3 | Rori Harmon | G | Rookie | 5′ 6″ | Texas |
| 4 | Betnijah Laney-Hamilton | G | 6 | 6′ 0″ | Rutgers |
| 5 | Darianna Littlepage-Buggs | F | Rookie | 6′ 1″ | Baylor |
| 8 | Georgia Amoore | G | 1 | 5′ 6″ | Kentucky |
| 12 | Michaela Onyenwere | F | 5 | 6′ 0″ | UCLA |
| 18 | Cassandre Prosper | G | Rookie | 6′ 3″ | Notre Dame |
| 22 | Sonia Citron | G | 1 | 6′ 1″ | Notre Dame |
| 23 | Cotie McMahon | F | Rookie | 6′ 0″ | Mississippi |
| 32 | Angela Dugalic | F | Rookie | 6′ 4″ | UCLA |
| 33 | Lucy Olsen | G | 1 | 5′ 10″ | Iowa |
| 44 | Kiki Iriafen | F | 1 | 6′ 3″ | USC |
| 51 | Lauren Betts | C | Rookie | 6′ 7″ | UCLA |
What TV channel is Mystics vs. Dream on today?
Prime Video will broadcast Sunday’s WNBA playoff game between the Mystics and Dream.
What time is Mystics vs. Dream?
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 27
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: State Farm Arena (Atlanta)
The Mystics and Dream play at 7 p.m. ET in the 2026 WNBA playoffs on Sunday, Sept. 27, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Michael Grady is handling play-by-play duties. LaChina Robinson and WNBA Hall of Famer Candace Parker will be the analysts. Kayla Grey is on the sidelines.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Big second half powers Atlanta Dream past Washington Mystics: Highlights
Reporting by Meghan L. Hall, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
