Jordin

Canada

Since Jordin Canada will miss at least two weeks following the knee injury she sustained in the Dream’s first preseason game against the Mystics on May 7, wing Walker-Kimbrough got the start. Walker-Kimbrough, like Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray, will also be tasked with playmaking in Canada’s absence. She facilitated the first score of the game, a behind-the-back pass to Brittney Griner for an open three. Her two other assists came in the middle of the third quarter when she found Brionna Jones close to the basket for two scores.

With Dream starting point Jordin Canada sidelined for at least two weeks, Howard was often the player with the ball in her hands to initiate the Atlanta offense, splitting those facilitating duties throughout the game with fellow wing Allisha Gray. As a result, Howard struggled to find her most comfortable spots off the ball, and then when she did, the open looks didn’t fall. She didn’t get a point on the board until the second quarter when Caitlin Clark fouled her, making both free throws. Her first field goal, a 24-foot three, came with just under six minutes remaining in the second and got the Dream within 3 points. Due to Canada’s injury, Howard and Gray will likely assume more prominent roles as facilitators once the season begins.

The rookie Paopao made an immediate impact once she stepped on the floor in the middle of the first quarter for the Dream. With Dream point guard Jordin Canada out with a knee injury, Atlanta relied upon Paopao for some scoring and shot creation from the guard spot. While her first score was a layup that came on a drive off a dribble handoff from Nia Coffey, Paopao established herself as an efficient pro-level shooter, making all but one of her three-point attempts, including one that got the Dream their first lead with 4:18 left in the second quarter. She also showed defensive energy in the first quarter, with an emphatic block on Lexie Hull while quickly tracking down Hull on a backdoor cut.

Walker-Kimbrough is the lone change to the Dream’s starting lineup compared to the quintet that opened their preseason opener on Wednesday. Starting guard Jordin Canada injured her knee during the first quarter of that matchup with the Mystics and will miss at least two weeks. Her injury means an opportunity to start for Walker-Kimbrough, and rookie Te-Hina Paopao is also worth watching on Saturday. Saturday’s game is Atlanta’s final tune-up before they begin their regular season next weekend.

Canada injured her knee during the first quarter of Atlanta’s May 7 exhibition win over the Mystics. Shatori Walker-Kimbrough replaced her in the lineup and started the third quarter. Canada’s injury also impacts rookie Te-Hina Paopao, who played 20 minutes off the bench on Wednesday.

After making two starts as a member of the Mystics in 2024, Walker-Kimbrough came off the bench in her unofficial Dream debut on Wednesday. However, she was inserted into the lineup to begin the third quarter after Atlanta lost Jordin Canada to a right leg injury during the first quarter. Walker-Kimbrough has primarily been a key reserve during her WNBA career, with the most games she’s started in a season being 15 in 2023 with the Mystics. Depending on the severity of Canada’s injury, the Dream may need Walker-Kimbrough to take on a more prominent role this season.

Canada injured her right leg during the first minutes of Wednesday’s exhibition, with the veteran guard requiring assistance back to the locker room. The veteran point guard was limited to 20 games last season due to injuries, including a broken hand that sidelined her for Atlanta’s first 14 contests. If Canada misses an extended period, her status may impact rookie Te-Hina Paopao, who’s looking to lock down a roster spot after a stellar career at South Carolina.