Maya

Caldwell

Gray had a limited amount of shots on Wednesday night, but that probably is a result of the MVP candidate being on very top of the Sun’s scouting report. But also, head coach Karl Smesko was intentional about her minutes. She only played in 20 minutes, a minute total Gray probably will surpass in each playoff game she plays in beginning this Sunday. Gray didn’t get downhill as much as she usually does but rather just capitalized off of the Sun’s missed rotations on the perimeter. All of Gray’s field goals came on passes from either Rhyne Howard, Maya Caldwell or Te-Hina Paopao. Gray functioned much more as a facilitator on Wednesday night as she had five assists where she found Brionna Jones and Brittney Griner on lob passes in the post along with extra passes to Naz Hillmon and Howard who were more open than she was on the perimeter.

Howard was quite efficient on a less multitudinous shot diet. On Wednesday night she made shots at all three levels, mostly from behind the arc and in the mid-range. She became the fifth player in league history to hit 100 three-pointers in a single season, and she became the first in Dream franchise history to reach 100 threes. In addition to her shot making, Howard contributed four assists where she found Allisha Gray and Maya Caldwell in the corner pockets for three-pointers in addition to Te-Hina Paopao cutting to the basket. Howard finished the game with four stocks (one block and three steals) which included blocking one of Saniya Rivers’ three-point attempts from the perimeter right as the buzzer beat for halftime.

For the second straight game in a row with Allisha Gray not available, Caldwell stepped up to the plate and played a huge role for the Dream coming off the bench. Once Rhyne Howard got off to a super hot start in the first half, someone had to take the pressure off the 2022 rookie of the year. Caldwell took some of the scoring weight off Howard’s shoulders and got hot in the second half, scoring 14 of her total 19 points all in the final two frames. She shot over 60% from the field for the second straight game on Friday night, and tied her career-high in scoring while setting a new career-high with five made three-pointers.

With Gray out for the second straight game and another one against the Sparks, rookie Te-Hina Paopao will play her natural position starting at the shooting guard spot alongside Jordin Canada back at point guard. Without the Dream’s MVP candidate in Gray available, the Dream will look for impactful minutes from Maya Caldwell, who in the Dream’s previous game on Wednesday night contributed 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting, along with eight rebounds and four assists in 27 minutes off the bench.

Gray was added late to the Dream injury report, and her absence leaves a massive hole in the team’s starting lineup. Wednesday’s game will be the first she has missed this season. Jordin Canada recently returned from a hamstring injury, and she’ll help Atlanta account for Gray’s absence. Maya Caldwell could pick up additional rotation minutes after playing sparingly in Monday’s win over Connecticut.

Jones struggled to begin the game missing her limited shots at the basket. The Wings, especially with a head coach in Chris Koclanes who coached Jones for years as an assistant, clearly followed their scout to begin the game. The Wings held Jones to 1-for-3 from the field and 2 points in the first half. After a rough first half, however, Jones scored 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting. The Dream offense found her on the move and on more advantageous seals in the second. Rhyne Howard, Te-Hina Paopao and Maya Caldwell all found Jones in the right spots. Friday night’s game was Jones’ 15th game of the regular season with 15 or more points scored.

Paopao joins Atlanta’s opening unit for the eighth time this season. As the Dream looks to bounce back from a loss, the rookie guard will replace Maya Caldwell in the starting lineup, and look to provide the team with floor spacing, ball handling, and playmaking. The Dream enters Thursday’s contest in third place in the WNBA standings, but has an identical record to the second-seeded Liberty.

Jordin Canada’s absence due to a hamstring injury opened up a space within the Dream starting lineup, and Caldwell was the choice to fill the void. She provided solid value against the Storm, shooting 80 percent from the field and grabbing seven rebounds. Rookie Te-Hina Paopao (two points, one assist and one blocked shot) only played seven minutes off the bench, with Caldwell’s play likely being a factor. As a spot starter, Caldwell is worth a look in deeper fantasy leagues for managers needing additional guard depth.

Griner has missed the Dream’s last three games, while Howard hasn’t played since the July 11 loss to the Fever. Atlanta has won four straight, including the most recent three that Griner has missed. Naz Hillmon has filled in for Griner in the starting lineup and produced 13.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists over that span. Hillmon will likely start again if Griner is unavailable on Sunday, while either Maya Caldwell or Te-Hina Paopao will be candidates to start in Howard’s place.

With Maya Caldwell (personal) out, Atlanta will roll with a new starting unit vs. Chicago. The rookie, Paopao, will make her sixth career start and function as a combo guard. She has tallied at least seven points, three assists and one three-pointer in each of her last three appearances and will look to help the Dream win a fourth straight game. Paopao will start in the backcourt alongside Jordin Canada.