Pitch Mr. Perfect

Angel Reese on receiving flowers pregame from Kahleah Copper. #wnba

Rhyne Howard. Three-ball. Dream complete the comeback win over the Mercury thanks to Rhy's three and JC's late bucket. Dream move to 4-1 on the season after a 82-80 win. Postgame coverage to follow. #WNBA I @theixsports.bsky.social

Angel is COOKING in the post today against a plus-defender. #WNBA

My favorite possession from the first half BY FAR. Jovana Nogić has been making plays all game. But this chess match with her and Jordin Canada - with an appearance by Alyssa Thomas - was a blast to watch live. #WNBA

Back to back looks for Angel Reese down low. After drawing the foul last play, a beautiful job to get deep position followed by the back-shoulder step through for 2.

Coach Karl Smesko gave a nice backstory about growing up with his dad who was a high school basketball coach. “I’ve loved basketball since literally from literally as long as I can remember.” #WNBA I @theixsports.bsky.social

Blayne’s a natural. Fun day at Topgolf (shoutout Clairo).

You’ve seen this play by Angel Reese, right? The pop-up steal? No one asked her about it. So that’s where I came in. On instincts, reports, and defensive efforts. “I mean, she put a cookie in front of your face, you gotta take it,” Reese said. www.theixsports.com/the-ix-baske... #WNBA

There is no place like Atlanta. Young Dro

Beltline Barbie? Peach Barbie? Point Barbie? Angel Reese with the handles. #WNBA

Touggggh finish by Odyssey Sims in transition after the Aziaha James steal. Wings are making a run. #WNBA

Allisha "I don't block shots" Gray blocked her fourth shot in as many games just now. "Defensive player of the year" a member of the team told me this morning. #WNBA

Yeah, Smesko is going to have a convo in practice tomorrow with Indya Nivar on this one. Beautiful pump fake but passes up the wide-open middy. #WNBA I @theixsports.bsky.social

Here at Atlanta Dream shootaround ahead of tonight’s game against the Dallas Wings. #WNBA I @theixsports.bsky.social

Shoutout to Chit-Chat Wright for hopping on our podcast this week. Here’s a snippet but checkout the full interview on YouTube or wherever you listed to podcasts. #NCAAWBB I #WBB linktr.ee/TheIXSportsCBB

Here's that action with the give-and-go with Natisha Hiedeman and Jordan Horston. Beautiful read and finish from the Storm duo. #WNBA

There is only one Te-Hina Paopao. #wnba

How do you slow down A’ja Wilson? Her former teammate, Aaliyah Nye is wondering the same thing. #WNBA I @theixsports.bsky.social

At Aces practice ahead of their big game against the Atlanta Dream tomorrow at State Farm Arena. #WNBA I @theixsports.bsky.social

Man, Rhyne missed Naz Hillmon on an easy look after the pick-and-roll up top. Angel got the offensive rebound to extend the possession, but still. Missed look here. #WNBA

It won't show up in the box score, but a fantastic hockey assist from Paige Bueckers here. Uses the Alanna Smith screen and forces Madina Okot and Naz Hillmon out of position to help. Quick pass to Jessica Shepard who finds the cutting Smith for a wide open layup. #WNBA

One hell of a first quarter from Jordin Canada, capped off by this smooth spin move in the paint to finish at the rim. Wings lead 21-19. #WNBA I @theixsports.bsky.social

Just like the end of the game against the Lynx, Angel Reese has a big block to start the game in Dallas. Nice switch and recovery on a driving Odyssey Sims. #WNBA

Huge back-to-back blocks for the Atlanta Dream by Allisha Gray and Angel Reese for them to escape Minnesota with the win. #WNBA

And another fantastic play by Olivia Miles. She's so comfy already at this level. Her vision is insane. #WNBA

Absolute filth from Olivia Miles here. The ball was on the string for the smooth step-back three. Congrats on your first highlight reel play. #WNBA

And this is why the Dream love Maite Cazorla so much. She's showing a ton today - enough that she has a leg-up on Taylor Thierry for the final roster spot at this point (to me). #WNBA

Angela Dugalić with a beautiful step-through and finish for the Mystics. They are so young but have so much length. #WNBA

Good motion for the Dream on this possession. Karl Smesko spoke pregame about improving on their screening angles. Perfect screen here by Angel that frees Naz up and then her for the bucket against Lauren Betts. Notice how Citron has to sink down on Angel quick. #WNBA I @theixsports.bsky.social

And this is what Angel Reese brings to the Dream. Defensive disrupter, pushes the ball in transition, follows her miss, two points. #WNBA I @theixsports.bsky.social

We spoke to Allisha Gray. She was asked if she’d learn to speak Spanish with Maite Cazorla saying she’d teach teammates. Lish’s response is on-brand. #WNBA

Basketball is back in Atlanta. Shakira Austin and Rori Harmon are going through their pre-game warmups ahead of the preseason game. #WNBA I @theixsports.bsky.social

With a minute left in the game, Madina Okot had the ball on the low block. Angel Reese was coaching her up from the bench. I asked her about it postgame. Here's what she had to say. #WNBA I @theixsports.bsky.social

Fantastic feed from Izzy Borlase to Madina Okot. Great footwork by Izzy. #WNBA I @theixsports.bsky.social

Great feed and finish by Gabby Jaquez drawing the contact for the Sky. #WNBA

Fun possession for ATL. Watch Angel off of the initial rebound. Telling Okot to go. Kicks it to Paopao & tells her to make the entry pass. She doesn't, but Angel does (albeit sloppy). Sets the ball screen for Pao, who finds Izzy Borlase on a beautiful backdoor cut. #WNBA I @theixsports.bsky.social

Taylor Thierry - the second-year player out of Ohio State - was getting some run with the first team today, too. She finishes this clip with a corner three and a rebound. “I thought that she had a good day today.” - Karl Smesko. #WNBA

Angel Reese and Madina Okot were BATTLING down low today. I asked coach about watching them go against each other this week. #WNBA I @theixsports.bsky.social

Back at Atlanta Dream practice today. Rookies are running some extra drills. Madina Okot has been dominating on the low block. #WNBA I @theixsports.bsky.social

I asked Angel Reese about getting the No. 5 from Taylor Thierry, but she wasn’t aware she had it. So I asked her about being in a new system that emphasizes space. Here’s what she said. #WNBA I @theixsports.bsky.social

Rhyne Howard picking up where she left off last year - drilling 3s. Paopao with the dish in transition. #WNBA I @theixsports.bsky.social