Griner shines as Dream hands Lynx first home loss of the season

Atlanta traded baskets with the Lynx to open the fourth, then pulled ahead as Shatori Walker-Kimbrough and Te-Hina Paopao combined for 10 of Atlanta’s first 14 points in under 3 minutes to build a 74-63 lead.

Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier (32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists) answered with a reverse layup to cut it to eight, but the Dream continued to respond. Jordin Canada converted a tough three-point play to push the lead to 81-68.

The Lynx (22-5) rallied with an 11-4 run, capped by a Collier basket and foul that cut the deficit to 85-79. Griner answered with a signature fadeaway to make it 88-79 with 1:23 to play. Out of a timeout, Collier scored four of Minnesota’s final six points, including a stepback bank shot to pull within 89-86. But Canada sealed the win with a free throw.

The Dream (15-10) had a 46-32 lead at halftime and had to hold on in the second half. Minnesota opened the third quarter with a quick burst from Courtney Williams and Collier, who hit a three to cut the deficit to single digits.

With the Dream up 53-41, Diamond Miller came off the bench and sparked the Lynx with a corner 3-pointer and a strong finish at the rim on back-to-back possessions, trimming the lead to 53-46. The Lynx locked in defensively, holding the Dream scoreless for more than six minutes.

Collier drilled another three to make it 55-51 and Miller added a free throw to cut the margin to three. But Griner ended the drought with a bank shot and a free throw on the next possession, helping the Dream regain control. Despite being outscored 22-14 in the quarter, the Dream held a 60-54 lead heading into the fourth.

The Dream will return to action Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET against the Golden State Valkyries.