Venue: Gateway Center Arena, College Park, Georgia (Atlanta Dream’s primary home venue).
Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. ET.
Broadcast options include WNBA League Pass, Peachtree Sports Network, WANF, Victory+, and NBCS-BOS.
Current Rosters
Atlanta Dream (head coach Karl Smesko; 1st in East, already playoff-qualified):
Guards: Allisha Gray (~19.3 PPG), Rhyne Howard (~18.3 PPG, strong steals), Jordin Canada (~7.4 APG), Te-Hina Paopao, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Isobel Borlase, Indya Nivar.
Forwards/Centers: Angel Reese (~12.4 RPG, double-double threat), Naz Hillmon, Brionna Jones, Sika Koné, Madina Okot, DeWanna Bonner (recent addition).
Connecticut Sun (head coach Rachid Meziane; 7th in East, eliminated from playoffs):
Guards: Leïla Lacan (~4.6 APG), Charlisse Leger-Walker, Saniya Rivers, Hailey Van Lith, Gianna Kneepkens, Ashlon Jackson.
Forwards/Centers: Aaliyah Edwards (~11.1 PPG recently strong), Brittney Griner (~13+ PPG when available), Olivia Nelson-Ododa (~5.9 RPG), Diamond Miller, Kennedy Burke, Raegan Beers, Nell Angloma, Rayah Marshall.
Injury/Availability Reports
Connecticut Sun:
Kennedy Burke: Out for season (shoulder/AC joint sprain sustained at FIBA World Cup).
Brittney Griner: Day-to-day/out (knee; missed recent games).
Olivia Nelson-Ododa: Day-to-day/out (knee; missed recent action).
Rayah Marshall: Out (coach’s decision in some reports).
Other depth limited; Aaliyah Edwards has been a bright spot with strong recent scoring (e.g., 26 points in a loss to Dallas).
Atlanta Dream:
Brionna Jones: Out (leg; no firm timetable earlier in August/September reports).
Core of Gray, Howard, Reese, Canada, and Hillmon largely available and productive.
Expect Atlanta to start a high-powered backcourt/forward group (Gray, Howard, Canada, Reese) while Connecticut leans on Edwards and remaining available bigs/guards amid absences.
Recent Team Forms
Atlanta Dream (strong, playoff-secure): 7-3 in last 10; recent results include a home win over Minnesota (89-81 on Aug. 30). High-scoring offense (~90.8 PPG, 3rd in league) with elite rebounding (led by Reese) and assists (Canada). Home record solid (13-7). Already locked into the postseason as a top Eastern Conference seed.
Connecticut Sun (struggling, season winding down): 3-7 in last 10; recent losses include 71-97 at Dallas (Aug. 30) after a brief win over Chicago. Offense ranks near bottom (~79.0 PPG); poor away record (3-17). Playing out the schedule with limited motivation beyond development and individual performances.
Series History
Atlanta has dominated recent matchups. In 2026 alone: Dream won 104-69 at Connecticut on Aug. 13 (Rhyne Howard 29 points) and 91-75 earlier at home. Historical edge heavily favors Atlanta in the last 10+ meetings (multiple double-digit wins). This is the third (and likely final regular-season) meeting of 2026.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Allisha Gray / Rhyne Howard (Atlanta scoring wings, combined ~37+ PPG potential) vs. Connecticut perimeter defense (Leger-Walker, Rivers, Lacan): Atlanta’s primary scoring duo will test Sun’s thin and depleted perimeter.
Angel Reese (Atlanta rebounding force, ~12+ RPG) vs. Aaliyah Edwards / remaining Sun bigs (Griner/Nelson-Ododa if available): Reese’s activity on the glass and second-chance opportunities against Connecticut’s interior.
Jordin Canada (Atlanta playmaking, ~7.4 APG) vs. Leïla Lacan / Sun guards: Facilitation and tempo control for the home side.
Aaliyah Edwards (Connecticut recent scoring leader) vs. Naz Hillmon / Atlanta forwards: Edwards needs efficient production and help from Diamond Miller or others to keep the game competitive.
Secondary: Atlanta’s depth and defensive versatility (steals, blocks) against Connecticut’s turnover-prone and low-scoring attack.
Atlanta’s superior talent, depth, home court, and motivation create a clear mismatch.
Betting Trends
Atlanta covers large spreads frequently against weaker Eastern opponents and has blown out Connecticut recently (35-point win in last meeting). Connecticut’s low scoring and road woes (plus key injuries) support a lopsided result. Unders have hit in some recent Dream games as favorites; totals can stay manageable if Atlanta plays at a controlled pace or Connecticut stalls offensively. Atlanta is 13-7 at home; Connecticut 3-17 on the road.
GAME ODDS
Connecticut Sun 169.5
Atlanta Dream – 14.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, September 16, 2026
