Karl Smesko secured his first win as head coach of the Atlanta Dream with a victory over the Indiana Fever on Tuesday evening. Extra considerably, middle Brittney Griner surpassed Tangela Smith to enter the High 20 on the WNBA’s all-time rebounds listing.
Brittney Griner: High 20 WNBA All-Time Rebounder
Griner performed a major function within the Dream’s spectacular 91-90 street victory in opposition to the Indiana Fever on Tuesday, scoring 21 factors and grabbing eight rebounds whereas taking pictures 61.5 p.c from the sphere.
Griner now has 2,338 profession rebounds. Smith completed her profession with 2,335. The W’s rebounding queen is Tina Charles of the Connecticut Solar, who at the moment has 4,029 profession rebounds and counting. The one different WNBA participant above 4,000 is Corridor of Famer Sylvia Fowles (4,007).
Coach Smesko believes Griner nonetheless has extra years of productiveness forward of her, contemplating her achievements throughout her time with the Phoenix Mercury earlier than signing with Atlanta within the offseason.
“She’s someone who’s extra about profitable than private accolades,” Smesko mentioned. “And he or she stands by that she desires greater than something is each other championship. And he or she goes about her enterprise on daily basis to assist everyone get higher. So there’s undoubtedly some satisfaction in what she’s been capable of accomplish on this sport over her profession, and she or he has loads of years forward of her.”
Over her 11 years with the Phoenix Mercury, Griner considerably impacted the franchise, recognized for her scoring capacity and shot-blocking expertise whereas teaming up with now retired guard Diana Taurasi. Now, she is heading to Atlanta, a staff that hasn’t gained a playoff sport since 2018, to assist remodel the Dream’s tradition.
How the Jones-Griner Experiment is Working Out for the Dream So Far
A standout second throughout Tuesday’s sport for the Dream was ahead Brionna Jones’ double-double with 19 factors and 13 rebounds. She signed with Atlanta in the course of the offseason after eight years with the Connecticut Solar. Jones is acknowledged for her versatility and robust expertise as a well-rounded energy ahead.
Pairing Griner with Jones creates a formidable entrance court docket duo; and their additions are proving useful for the Dream up to now by way of two video games.
“(Brionna Jones) is a power on each side,” Griner mentioned. “We’re each good, she is on our staff, and we do not have to defend her, however she has established herself very effectively down low. And he or she was getting her fingers on balls and stuff, and simply havoc on protection as effectively. She brings lots to the desk.”
Dream guard Rhyne Howard, who scored 20 factors and had three steals within the victory, is thrilled to have Griner on her staff, alongside fellow guards Allisha Grey and Jordin Canada.
Howard emphasised Griner’s expertise, play model, and the precious classes realized throughout late-game conditions. Each she and Griner are optimistic about persevering with to develop the staff chemistry between them all through the season.
“Being aggressive,” Howard mentioned. “Clearly, having her on the court docket with me, I get to take a deep breath, as a result of she is a power on offense and protection. However she’s going by way of lots down there, and making an attempt to make her job simpler, simply as she’s making an attempt to make my job simpler. It is simply nice to have her. We’ll do loads of nice issues this 12 months. So, keep tuned, it should get higher from right here.”
Griner Helps Dream Keep Calm Essential Moments
At any time when the Dream made a run, the Fever responded with a run of their very own, particularly throughout an in depth fourth quarter. Extra importantly, Atlanta credited Griner’s management for serving to them keep calm when it was wanted at a vital time.
“She was someone on the bench when [the Fever] had been making a bit of little bit of a run — she was the one calming everyone down,” Smesko mentioned.
Within the last moments of the Fever vs. Dream sport, Griner fouled out, permitting Howard to make two essential free throws, securing Atlanta’s first victory of the season.
Extra importantly, ahead Nia Coffey delivered a game-winning block on Natasha Howard’s shot try, and the bench erupted in celebration as soon as the sport concluded in entrance of a sold-out crowd in Indianapolis.
“It was only a nice sport,” Smesko mentioned. “It is good to see everyone contribute to a profitable effort. Thrilling end may have gone both approach. Final sport we’re on the opposite facet of it. This time, we had been capable of simply maintain on, and that is mainly what we did, maintain on. Indiana made it very troublesome down the stretch, so I am simply pleased with all of our gamers and all of the contributions they made. And I believed our gamers off the bench all made enormous performs that actually helped make the distinction.”
The Atlanta Dream’s residence opener at State Farm Area, residence of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, is Thursday in opposition to the Indiana Fever.
