2025 Atlanta Dream season
| 2025 Atlanta Dream season | |
|---|---|
| Coach | Karl Smesko |
| Arena | Gateway Center Arena State Farm Arena |
| Attendance | 4,480 per game |
| Results | |
| Record | 30–14 (.682) |
| Place | 1st (Eastern) |
| Playoff finish | 3rd seed Lost in First Round 1–2 to Indiana Fever |
| Team Leaders | |
| Points | Allisha Gray – 18.4 ppg |
| Rebounds | Brionna Jones – 7.3 rpg |
| Assists | Jordin Canada – 5.7 apg |
|
2026 season → | |
The 2025 Atlanta Dream season was the 18th season for the Atlanta Dream of the Women's National Basketball Association, and their first season under head coach, Karl Smesko.
Draft
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College/Club | Outcome | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 18 | Te-Hina Paopao | G | United States | South Carolina | Signed rookie contract April 18 Made opening day roster |
[1][2] |
| 3 | 36 | Taylor Thierry | F | Ohio State | [2][3] |
Transactions
Front office and coaching
| Date | Details | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| October 2, 2024 | Fired head coach, Tanisha Wright | [4] |
| November 13, 2024 | Hired Karl Smesko as head coach | [5] |
| January 6, 2025 | Hired LaToya Sanders and Brandi Poole as assistant coaches | [6] |
| Promoted Brooklyn Cartwright to assistant general manager | ||
| March 17, 2025 | Hired Hannah Kronick Spencer as Vice President of Marketing and Consumer Insights | [7] |
| Hired Kaila Pettis as Senior Director of Brand and Creative | ||
| March 31, 2025 | Hired Chelsea Lyles and Camryn Brown as assistant coaches | [8] |
| April 24, 2025 | Promoted Katie Buria to Head Athletic Trainer | [9] |
| Hired Taylor Javey as an assistant athletic trainer | ||
| Hired Shannon Jackson as a strength and conditioning coach | ||
| Promoted Parker Sizemore to Data Analyst and Performance Coordinator | ||
| Promoted Sydney Durrah to Senior Manager of Basketball Systems and Player Content Operations | ||
| Hired Sheahen Dowling as special assistant to the head coach | ||
| August 14, 2025 | Hired Traci Messier as Vice President of Communications and External Affairs | [10] |
Free agency
Re-signed
| Player | Date | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maya Caldwell | January 18, 2025 | Training camp contract | [11] |
Additions
| Player | Date | Notes | Former Team | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shatori Walker-Kimbrough | February 1 | One-year deal | Washington Mystics | [12] |
| Brittney Griner | Phoenix Mercury | [13] | ||
| Brionna Jones | Connecticut Sun | [14] | ||
| Holly Winterburn | February 5 | Training camp contract | Beşiktaş HDI Sigorta (Turkey) |
[15] |
| Ashley Joens | March 6 | Athinaikos AS Vurona (Greece) |
[16] | |
| Maria Gakdeng | April 17 | North Carolina Tar Heels | [17][18] | |
| Emani Jefferson | Florida Gulf Coast Eagles | [17] | ||
| Te-Hina Paopao | April 18 | Rookie contract (2025 draft pick – No. 18) |
South Carolina Gamecocks | [1] |
| Taylor Thierry | Rookie contract (2025 draft pick – No. 36) |
Ohio State Buckeyes | [3] | |
| DeYona Gaston | April 27 | Training camp contract | Auburn Tigers | [19] |
| Shyanne Sellers | May 5 | Awarded off waivers | Golden State Valkyries | [20] |
| Kamiah Smalls | August 1 | 7-day contract | Galatasaray (Turkey) |
[21] |
| August 8 | ||||
| Sika Koné | August 15 | Rest of season contract | Free agent | [22] |
Subtractions / unsigned
| Player | Date | Reason | New Team | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maite Cazorla | January 16, 2022 | Suspended contract – expired | — | |
| Ezinne Kalu | October 2, 2024 | Free agency – unrestricted | Zhejiang Golden Bulls (China) |
[23] |
| Iliana Rupert | December 6, 2024 | Expansion draft | Golden State Valkyries | [24] |
| Danielle Robinson | January 1, 2025 | Retired | N/A | [25][26] |
| Lorela Cubaj | January 15, 2025 | Free agency – reserved (qualifying offer extended) |
Not signed – retained rights | [27] |
| Laeticia Amihere | February 1, 2025 | Waived | Golden State Valkyries | [28][29] |
| Tina Charles | February 2, 2025 | Free agency – uncoreable unrestricted | Connecticut Sun | [30] |
| Cheyenne Parker-Tyus | February 6, 2025 | Free agency – unrestricted | Las Vegas Aces | [31] |
| Holly Winterburn | April 7, 2025 | Suspended contract – full season | N/A – retained rights | [32] |
| DeYona Gaston | May 5, 2025 | Waived | — | [33] |
| Maria Gakdeng | May 8, 2025 | — | [34] | |
| Emani Jefferson | — | |||
| Ashley Joens | May 10, 2025 | — | [35] | |
| Shyanne Sellers | May 12, 2025 | — | [36] | |
| Haley Jones | May 14, 2025 | Dallas Wings | [37] | |
| Aerial Powers | June 10, 2025 | Free agency – unrestricted | Golden State Valkyries | [38] |
| Kamiah Smalls | August 13, 2025 | Released | — |
Roster
| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
WNBA roster page | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depth chart
| Pos. | Starter | Bench |
|---|---|---|
| PG | Jordin Canada | Te-Hina Paopao |
| SG | Allisha Gray | Maya Caldwell Shatori Walker-Kimbrough |
| SF | Rhyne Howard | Nia Coffey |
| PF | Brionna Jones | Naz Hillmon |
| C | Brittney Griner |
Schedule
Preseason
| 2025 pre-season game log Total: 1–1 (Home: 0–1; Road: 1–0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May: 1–1 (Home: 0–1; Road: 1–0)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 pre-season schedule | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Regular season
| 2025 game log Total: 30–14 (Home: 16–6; Road: 14–8) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May: 5–2 (Home: 2–1; Road: 3–1)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
June
: 6–4 (Home: 5–1; Road: 1–3)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
July
: 5–5 (Home: 1–2; Road: 4–3)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
August
: 9–3 (Home: 5–2; Road: 4–1)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
September
: 5–0 (Home: 3–0; Road: 2–0)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 season schedule | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notes:
- Games highlighted in ██ represent Commissioner's Cup games.
- Game highlighted in ██ represents the 2025 WNBA Canada game.
Playoffs
| 2025 playoff game log | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First round vs. Indiana Fever Lost Series 1–2
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 playoff schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Standings
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | Conf. | Home | Road | Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | yx – Minnesota Lynx | 34 | 10 | .773 | – | 20–4 | 20–2 | 14–8 | 5–1 |
| 2 | x – Las Vegas Aces | 30 | 14 | .682 | 4 | 16–8 | 17–5 | 13–9 | 2–4 |
| 3 | x – Atlanta Dream | 30 | 14 | .682 | 4 | 15–6 | 16–6 | 14–8 | 3–2 |
| 4 | x – Phoenix Mercury | 27 | 17 | .614 | 7 | 13–11 | 15–7 | 12–10 | 4–2 |
| 5 | x – New York Liberty | 27 | 17 | .614 | 7 | 15–5 | 17–5 | 10–12 | 4–1 |
| 6 | cx – Indiana Fever | 24 | 20 | .545 | 10 | 13–8 | 13–9 | 11–11 | 4–1 |
| 7 | x – Seattle Storm | 23 | 21 | .523 | 11 | 12–12 | 10–12 | 13–9 | 4–2 |
| 8 | x – Golden State Valkyries | 23 | 21 | .523 | 11 | 9–15 | 14–8 | 9–13 | 3–3 |
| 9 | e – Los Angeles Sparks | 21 | 23 | .477 | 13 | 10–14 | 9–13 | 12–10 | 2–4 |
| 10 | e – Washington Mystics | 16 | 28 | .364 | 18 | 8–12 | 10–12 | 6–16 | 2–3 |
| 11 | e – Connecticut Sun | 11 | 33 | .250 | 23 | 7–14 | 7–15 | 4–18 | 1–4 |
| 12 | e – Chicago Sky | 10 | 34 | .227 | 24 | 4–17 | 6–16 | 4–18 | 1–4 |
| 13 | e – Dallas Wings | 10 | 34 | .227 | 24 | 4–20 | 6–16 | 4–18 | 1–5 |
Notes
- (#) – League Standing
- c – Commissioner's Cup winners
- y – Regular Season Champion
- x – Clinched playoff berth
- e – Eliminated from playoff contention
- Source: Overall standings and Commissioner's Cup Standings
Playoffs
| First Round: Best-of-3 | Semifinals: Best-of-5 | Finals: Best-of-7 | ||||||||||||
| 1 | Minnesota Lynx | 2 | ||||||||||||
| 8 | Golden State Valkyries | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 1 | Minnesota Lynx | 1 | ||||||||||||
| 4 | Phoenix Mercury | 3 | ||||||||||||
| 4 | Phoenix Mercury | 2 | ||||||||||||
| 5 | New York Liberty | 1 | ||||||||||||
| 4 | Phoenix Mercury | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2 | Las Vegas Aces | 4 | ||||||||||||
| 2 | Las Vegas Aces | 2 | ||||||||||||
| 7 | Seattle Storm | 1 | ||||||||||||
| 2 | Las Vegas Aces | 3 | ||||||||||||
| 6 | Indiana Fever | 2 | ||||||||||||
| 3 | Atlanta Dream | 1 | ||||||||||||
| 6 | Indiana Fever | 2 | ||||||||||||
- Bold – Series winner
- Italic – Team with home-court-advantage
Awards and honors
| Recipient | Award | Date awarded | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allisha Gray | Eastern Conference Player of the Week | June 3 | [39] |
| June 17 | [40] | ||
| August 12 | [41] | ||
| Eastern Conference Player of the Month – May | June 4 | [42] | |
| WNBA All-Star Starter | June 30 | [43] | |
| Eastern Conference Player of the Month – June | July 3 | [44] | |
| Eastern Conference Player of the Month – August | September 3 | [45] | |
| AP All-WNBA First Team | September 12 | [46] | |
| WNBA Most Valuable Player Top 5 Finalist | September 19 | [47] | |
| All-WNBA First Team | October 10 | [48] | |
| Naz Hillmon | AP Sixth Woman of the Year | September 12 | [46] |
| WNBA Sixth Player of the Year | September 20 | [49] | |
| Rhyne Howard | WNBA All-Star Reserve | July 7 | [50] |
| Eastern Conference Player of the Week | September 2 | [51] | |
| September 12 | [52] | ||
| WNBA All-Defensive Second Team | October 8 | [53] | |
| Brionna Jones | WNBA All-Star Reserve (replacement player) | July 17 | [54] |
| Dan Padover | WNBA Basketball Executive of the Year | September 23 | [55] |
References
- ^ a b Truax, Barkley (April 14, 2025). "Te-Hina Paopao contract figures with Atlanta Dream revealed after WNBA Draft". On3.com. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
- ^ a b "Atlanta Dream Announce 2025 Regular Season Roster". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
- ^ a b "Taylor Thierry – WNBA Contract". Spotrac. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
- ^ "The Atlanta Dream have made the difficult decision to part ways with head coach Tanisha Wright". dream.wnba.com. October 2, 2024.
- ^ Feinberg, Doug; Reynolds, Tim (November 13, 2024). "Atlanta Dream hire longtime Florida Gulf Coast coach Karl Smesko to lead team". Associated Press. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
- ^ "Atlanta Dream Announce Additions to Coaching Staff and Front Office". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. January 6, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
- ^ "Atlanta Dream Elevates Marketing and Creative Vision with Key Leadership Additions". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. March 17, 2025. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ "Atlanta Dream Complete 2025 Coaching Staff with Additions of Chelsea Lyles and Camryn Brown". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. March 31, 2025. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ "Atlanta Dream Bolster Basketball Operations Department with Key Additions and Strategic Promotions". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. April 24, 2025. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
- ^ "Atlanta Dream Name Traci Messier New VP of Communications and External Affairs". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. August 14, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
- ^ @ATLDreamPR (January 18, 2025). "Guard Maya Caldwell has re-signed with the Atlanta Dream, the organization announced today" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Atlanta Dream Sign Veteran Guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. February 1, 2025. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
- ^ "Atlanta Dream Sign Brittney Griner in Historic Free Agent Acquisition". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. February 1, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
- ^ "Atlanta Dream Sign Three-Time All-Star Brionna Jones". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. February 1, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
- ^ @AtlantaDream (February 5, 2025). "Welcome to the 🅰️! The Dream has signed @hollywinterburn to a Training Camp contract" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Atlanta Dream Signs Ashley Joens to Training Camp Contract". Atlanta Dream. March 7, 2025. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
- ^ a b "Atlanta Dream Sign Emani Jefferson and Maria Gakdang to Training Camp Contracts". Atlanta Dream. April 18, 2025. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
- ^ "Tar Heel Duo Earns WNBA Training Camp Invites". Go Heels. April 15, 2025. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
- ^ "Atlanta Dream Sign DeYona Gaston to Training Camp Contract". Atlanta Dream. April 27, 2025. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
- ^ Atlanta Dream PR [@ATLDreamPR] (May 5, 2025). "The Atlanta Dream have acquired Shyanne Sellers off waivers" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Atlanta Dream Sign Kamiah Smalls to Seven-Day Contract". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. August 1, 2025. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
- ^ Atlanta Dream [@AtlantaDream] (August 15, 2025). "Welcome to the 🅰️, @sikakone23 !" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Aikigbe, Godwin (October 18, 2024). "Kalu in China for brief Zheijang stint". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
- ^ "Golden State Valkyries begin constructing inaugural roster with 11 selections in 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft". nba.com. NBA. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
- ^ @danirob13; (January 1, 2025). ""Well done, good and faithful servant"" – via Instagram.
- ^ Hansen, Mitchell (January 2, 2025). "Former Minnesota Lynx Fan Favorite Announces Retirement". Canis Hoopus.
- ^ @WNBAMoves (January 15, 2025). "Reserved Qualifying Offer: Lorela Cubaj, Dream" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @ATLDreamPR (February 1, 2025). "The Atlanta Dream have waived forward Laeticia Amihere, the organization announced today" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Golden State Valkyries Sign Laeticia Amihere". valkyries.wnba.com. WNBA. February 6, 2025. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
- ^ "WNBA's All-Time Rebounds Leader and League Legend Tina Charles Signs with the Connecticut Sun". Connecticut Sun. WNBA. February 2, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
- ^ Philippou, Alexa (February 6, 2025). "Aces sign veteran forward Cheyenne Parker-Tyus to 1-year deal". ESPN. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
- ^ "Atlanta Dream Guard Holly Winterburn to Miss 2025 WNBA Season Due to Injury". dream.wnba.com. WNBA. April 7, 2025. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ Atlanta Dream [@AtlantaDream] (May 5, 2025). "The Atlanta Dream have waived forward DeYona Gaston" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Atlanta Dream [@AtlantaDream] (May 8, 2025). "The Atlanta Dream have waived forward Maria Gakdeng and guard Emani Jefferson" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Atlanta Dream PR [@ATLDreamPR] (May 10, 2025). "The Atlanta Dream have waived guard Ashley Joens" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Atlanta Dream [@AtlantaDream] (May 12, 2025). "The Atlanta Dream have waived guard Shyanne Sellers" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Atlanta Dream [@AtlantaDream] (May 14, 2025). "The Atlanta Dream have waived guard/forward Haley Jones" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Golden State Valkyries Sign Guard Aerial Powers". Golden State Valkyries. WNBA. June 10, 2025. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
- ^ "Allisha Gray Named WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "Allisha Gray Named WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for Second Time in 2025". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. June 17, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
- ^ "Allisha Gray Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. August 12, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
- ^ "Allisha Gray Named Kia WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month". dream.wnba.com. WNBA. June 4, 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
- ^ "Nneka Ogwumike, Breanna Stewart, and A'ja Wilson Highlight Remaining 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game Starters". WNBA. June 30, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ "Allisha Gray Named Kia WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month for June". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. July 3, 2025. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
- ^ "Allisha Gray Named Kia WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month for August". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. September 3, 2025. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
- ^ a b Feinberg, Doug (September 12, 2025). "A'ja Wilson's incredible season earns her a second straight AP Player of the Year award". Associated Press. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
- ^ "A'ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier lead 5 finalists for WNBA MVP". ESPN. September 19, 2025. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
- ^ "A'ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier Unanimously Selected to 2025 All-WNBA First Team". WNBA. October 10, 2025. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
- ^ Hall, Meghan L. (September 20, 2025). "Atlanta Dream forward Naz Hillmon named WNBA Sixth Player of the Year after breakout season". USA Today. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
- ^ Feinberg, Doug (July 6, 2025). "WNBA All-Star Game: Kayla Thornton, Gabby Williams, Kiki Iriafen, Sonia Citron among reserves". Associated Press. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
- ^ "Rhyne Howard Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. September 2, 2025. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
- ^ "Rhyne Howard Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. September 12, 2025. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
- ^ Andres, Patrick (October 8, 2025). "Napheesa Collier, A'ja Wilson Headline WNBA All-Defensive Teams". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 8, 2025.
- ^ Axson, Scooby (July 17, 2025). "WNBA All-Star Game full rosters: Injury replacements named for Team Clark". USA Today. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ "Atlanta Dream's Dan Padover Wins Record Third WNBA Basketball Executive of the Year Award". WNBA. September 23, 2025. Retrieved September 24, 2025.