Gray and Howard Shine as Undermanned Dream Hold Off Sparks in LA

The Atlanta Dream tipped off their three-game road trip Tuesday night in Los Angeles with more questions than answers. Missing two of their key starters—center Brittney Griner and point guard Jordin Canada, both sidelined for the first five games—the odds were stacked against them from the start.

But the Dream didn’t come to fold.

Led by the dynamic backcourt duo of Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard, Atlanta delivered a statement performance, building a commanding 17-point lead late in the third quarter, up 66–49 with just over a minute remaining. Gray and Howard controlled the tempo on both ends, igniting fast breaks, hitting tough shots, and frustrating the Sparks’ defense.

Still, Los Angeles wasn’t ready to back down.

Behind a furious 21–4 rally sparked by Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby, the Sparks stormed back into contention. Plum’s deep three-pointer with 4:22 left sliced the Dream’s lead to just one point, 71–70, sending the Crypto.com Arena crowd into a frenzy. The comeback was real—and so was the pressure.

But Gray and Howard weren’t about to let this one slip.

With poise and execution, the Dream’s guards delivered in crunch time. Gray, in particular, was spectacular—efficient, fearless, and unshakable. She led all scorers with 25 points, going a remarkable 7-for-8 from the field and a perfect 9-for-9 at the free throw line. Her clutch play kept the Sparks at bay, as Atlanta held on for a gritty 88–82 win.

Howard added timely buckets and defensive stops, making sure the Dream didn’t collapse under LA’s late surge.

For the Sparks, it was another tough loss at home—continuing a frustrating trend. They’ve now dropped 15 of their last 21 games at home, a stat that stings even more with the bright performances from Plum and Hamby, who combined for 55 of the team’s 82 points.

The Dream, meanwhile, move forward with momentum and confidence—earning a hard-fought road win without two of their stars. If Tuesday night was any indication, Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard are more than ready to carry the load when called upon.