Kenya’s Madina Okot made her first WNBA playoff appearance off the bench as the Atlanta Dream beat the Washington Mystics 92-77 in Game One of their best-of-three series at State Farm Arena in Georgia on Monday.
Okot played seven minutes, scoring four points and grabbing five rebounds while adding a steal and a block. She opened the fourth quarter with a layup assisted by Angel Reese, then followed with a steal and an assist to Rhyne Howard for a three-pointer that stretched Atlanta’s lead to 70-53. Dream coach Karl Smesko said afterwards: “We hoped she would be an X-factor for us.”
The fourth-seeded Dream trailed 14-5 after missing nine of their first 10 shots and were down 11 points at halftime despite Howard scoring 26 points on a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line. Allisha Gray added 22 points, while Angel Reese posted a 13-point, 12-rebound double-double. DeWanna Bonner scored 13 off the bench and Jordin Canada had 10 points and 11 assists as Atlanta forced 22 Washington turnovers.
Atlanta has not advanced past the first round since 2018. “A good way to start the series, but we know we have to get another win,” Smesko said. Game Two of the best-of-three matchup takes place in Washington on Thursday.
