Center Brittney Griner and the Atlanta Dream will travel to play the Washington Mystics in the season opener on Friday.
It will be Griner’s regular-season debut as a member of the Dream after spending the last 11 years of her career with the Phoenix Mercury.
The Mystics announced forward/center Shakira Austin won’t play due to a leg injury. Austin missed significant time due to injury over the past two seasons. Washington will be withouth rookie Georgia Amoore due to an ACL injury and Aaliyah Edwards (lower back contusion). For the Dream, Jordin Canada is out with a right knee injury.
Commanders’ Jayden Daniels sits courtside
Everyone watches women’s sports, including a pair of Washington Commanders superstars. Quarterback Jayden Daniels and his newest receiver Deebo Samuel were seated court-side at CareFirst Arena on Friday.
Halftime: Dream 45, Mystics 41
The Dream led by as many as 12 points in the first half, but the Mystics responded and came within four points of Atlanta heading into halftime. Allisha Gray of the Dream has a game-high 19 points, shooting 5-of-8 from the field and 5-of-7 from three. Te-Hina Paopao added seven points in her WNBA regular season debut. Washington’s Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron are also making their regular season debuts and have seven and four points, respectively. The Mystics have outscored the Dream in the paint, 22-10.
Sonia Citron called for flagrant
Mystics rookie Sonia Citron was assessed a flagrant foul on the Dream’s Allisha Gray, making contact with Gray’s right arm as she attempted a 3-pointer. The shot went in and Gray made the free throw for a 30-22 lead. The Mystics kept it close with 3-pointers by Jade Melbourne and Emily Engstler.
End of Q1: Atlanta Dream 24, Washington Mystics 20
Washington’s rookies didn’t waste any time making a mark on their home court as Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron made the starting five. Iriafen had back-to-back layups in the opening minutes. Rookie Te-Hina PaoPao started for the Dream, draining a 3-pointer to give Atlanta a 17-14 lead.
How to watch Dream vs. Mystics: TV, stream
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: CareFirst Arena in Washington D.C.
TV: ION
Stream: Fubo, WNBA League Pass (free league pass preview)
Watch the Dream vs. Mystics live with Fubo
Georgia Amoore has surgery
Rookie guard Georgia Amoore underwent successful surgery to repair a right ACL injury, the Mystics announced. She is out for the season.
Forward Aaliyah Edwards (lower back contusion) has been cleared to resume on-court activities and will be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks. Shakira Austin is also out for the Atlanta game with a leg injury.
Starting lineups
Washington Mystics
F Sonia Citron
F Kiki Iriafen
C Stefanie Dolson
G Brittney Sykes
G Seg Sutton
Atlanta Dream
F Rhyne Howard
F Brionna Jones
C Brittney Griner
G Allisha Gray
G Te-Hina PaoPao
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