The Atlanta Dream 2025 featured a balanced offense led by Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard on the perimeter, while Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones provided efficient interior scoring, rebounding, and rim protection. Jordin Canada directed the offense as the primary playmaker, helping drive an attack built on ball movement. The Dream paired efficient scoring with strong team defense, creating one of the league’s most balanced statistical profiles.
Gray became the offensive stabilizer in Karl Smesko’s spacing-heavy system, thriving both on and off the ball. Independent coverage frequently pointed to her confident perimeter shooting, physical drives and late-game composure as reasons Atlanta’s offense became far more difficult to defend. (dream.wnba.com)
WNBA All-Star (2025)
Rhyne Howard
Starter/Star (1.1)
34.9
High (1.2)
17.5
4.5
4.6
2.3
76.82
Howard remained the focal point of every scouting report, stretching defenses well beyond the arc while taking on demanding perimeter assignments. Analysts covering the Dream noted that Smesko’s pace-and-space attack increased her freedom as both a scorer and secondary playmaker rather than relying solely on isolation. (dream.wnba.com)
WNBA All-Star (2025)
Brionna Jones
Starter/Star (1.1)
26.6
High (1.2)
12.8
7.3
2.2
1.9
63.89
Jones gave Atlanta an interior anchor who finished efficiently without disrupting offensive flow. Season analysis consistently highlighted her screening, offensive rebounding and defensive positioning as ideal complements to the Dream’s perimeter-oriented attack. (dream.wnba.com)
WNBA All-Star (2025)
Jordin Canada
Starter/Star (1.1)
28.0
Medium (1.1)
11.2
3.3
5.7
2.0
53.48
Canada’s value extended well beyond scoring, as she dictated tempo and pressured opposing guards from baseline to baseline. Coverage of Atlanta’s new offensive system regularly credited her decision-making for creating cleaner looks for Howard and Gray. (Reddit)
None
Naz Hillmon
Key Contributor (1.05)
25.5
Low (1.0)
8.6
6.2
2.4
0.9
37.59
Hillmon settled into a glue-player role built on hustle, rebounding and defensive versatility. Observers often pointed to her willingness to defend multiple frontcourt matchups as a key reason Atlanta could comfortably mix lineups throughout the season. (dream.wnba.com)
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Brittney Griner
Starter/Star (1.1)
20.8
Medium (1.1)
9.8
5.2
0.8
1.3
41.38
Griner provided veteran rim protection and efficient finishing despite a managed workload. Independent reporting emphasized that her experience and interior presence gave Atlanta another dimension without requiring high offensive usage every night. (dream.wnba.com)
WNBA All-Star (2025)
Maya Caldwell
Key Contributor (1.05)
18.5
Low (1.0)
5.4
3.1
1.8
1.1
23.94
Caldwell filled a low-maintenance wing role, defending multiple positions and spacing the floor whenever starters rested. Her minutes rarely revolved around scoring, but her defensive reliability kept her in the rotation. (dream.wnba.com)
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Te-Hina PaoPao
Key Contributor (1.05)
16.7
Low (1.0)
5.8
1.6
2.4
0.7
22.05
PaoPao adapted quickly to Atlanta’s three-point-oriented offense, moving constantly without the ball and giving defenders another shooter to account for. Early-season analysis frequently highlighted how naturally her skill set fit Smesko’s philosophy. (Reddit)
WNBA All-Rookie Team (2025)
Nia Coffey
Bench (1.0)
10.3
Low (1.0)
3.9
2.6
1.0
0.6
16.20
Coffey embraced a reserve role centered on defensive flexibility rather than offensive volume. She frequently shifted between frontcourt positions to help Atlanta maintain spacing and switching options.
None
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough
Bench (1.0)
8.6
Low (1.0)
1.7
0.9
0.5
0.5
7.20
Walker-Kimbrough served as experienced backcourt depth, providing steady perimeter defense in short appearances. Contemporary independent discussion of her season was limited because of her reduced rotation role.
None
Taylor Thierry
Bench (1.0)
2.1
Low (1.0)
0.4
0.4
0.1
0.2
2.20
Thierry spent most of the season in a developmental role. Independent reporting specific to her limited appearances was scarce, with most coverage focusing on Atlanta’s veteran core.
None
Sika Koné
Bench (1.0)
1.4
Low (1.0)
0.5
0.1
0.1
0.0
1.40
Koné saw only brief opportunities late in games. Contemporary independent coverage was limited because she remained outside the regular rotation for most of the season.
None
Kamiah Smalls
Bench (1.0)
1.0
Low (1.0)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.00
Smalls made only a handful of appearances and did not establish a regular role. Independent season-specific reporting on her contributions was limited.
Howard remained Atlanta’s offensive focal point despite constant defensive attention, often initiating actions well beyond the three-point line. Postseason coverage emphasized that New York prioritized taking the ball out of her hands, forcing difficult shot creation while she still carried the Dream’s toughest perimeter defensive assignments. (Atlanta Dream)
WNBA All-Star (2025)
Allisha Gray
Starter/Star (1.1)
33.0
High (1.2)
16.0
8.3
2.3
1.7
74.45
Gray attacked the Liberty with controlled drives and strong rebounding from the wing, giving Atlanta its most consistent secondary creator. Game analysis regularly highlighted her physical style and willingness to absorb contact when perimeter looks disappeared. (Atlanta Dream)
WNBA All-Star (2025)
Naz Hillmon
Starter/Star (1.1)
34.0
Medium (1.1)
11.0
8.7
2.3
1.3
56.39
Hillmon’s energy shifted several stretches of the series, especially through offensive rebounding and defensive switching. Independent coverage repeatedly praised her hustle plays and ability to keep possessions alive against a bigger frontcourt. (WNBA)
AP Sixth Player of the Year (2025)
Brionna Jones
Starter/Star (1.1)
28.3
Medium (1.1)
10.7
4.7
2.7
2.3
47.67
Jones provided efficient interior scoring while anchoring Atlanta’s screen-and-roll game. Observers noted that her strength around the basket complemented the Dream’s perimeter-oriented offense and forced New York to defend inside as well as outside. (Atlanta Dream)
WNBA All-Star (2025)
Jordin Canada
Starter/Star (1.1)
27.0
Medium (1.1)
8.0
2.3
6.7
1.3
44.77
Canada’s influence came through tempo, ball pressure and playmaking more than scoring. She consistently looked to push the pace after stops, though New York’s length made finishing possessions difficult. (WNBA)
None
Te-Hina PaoPao
Bench (1.0)
9.7
Low (1.0)
6.3
1.7
0.3
0.6
17.80
PaoPao supplied valuable floor spacing in limited minutes, staying ready as an off-ball shooter whenever Atlanta searched for extra perimeter offense. Contemporary playoff discussion of her role remained limited because of the shortened rotation. (Reddit)
WNBA All-Rookie Team (2025)
Brittney Griner
Bench (1.0)
10.7
Low (1.0)
4.7
1.0
1.3
0.3
14.60
Griner played a reduced reserve role, giving Atlanta experienced interior size without dominating possessions. Independent reporting focused more on matchup management than individual production during the series. (WNBA)
WNBA All-Star (2025)
Maya Caldwell
Bench (1.0)
13.3
Low (1.0)
2.3
2.0
0.7
0.6
11.20
Caldwell filled a complementary defensive assignment on the wing, taking difficult perimeter matchups and providing occasional spot-up shooting. Her postseason workload centered on energy rather than offensive volume. (WNBA)
None
Nia Coffey
Bench (1.0)
5.3
Low (1.0)
0.7
1.0
0.0
0.0
3.40
Coffey appeared briefly as frontcourt depth, giving Atlanta another versatile defender. Contemporary independent coverage specific to her playoff minutes was limited because of her small role.
None
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough
Bench (1.0)
3.0
Low (1.0)
0.0
0.5
0.5
1.5
5.00
Walker-Kimbrough saw only short stretches but brought veteran perimeter defense whenever called upon. Independent reporting devoted little attention to her individual series because of limited minutes.
None
Sika Koné
Bench (1.0)
1.5
Low (1.0)
0.0
0.5
0.0
0.0
1.00
Koné’s appearances came in brief reserve minutes. Independent postseason coverage discussing her individual role was limited.
None
Taylor Thierry
Bench (1.0)
2.0
Low (1.0)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.00
Thierry made only a short appearance, leaving little opportunity to establish a rotation role. Independent postseason reporting specific to her minutes was limited.
