Atlanta Dream’s Karl Smesko Sets WNBA Record for First-Year Coach Wins

The Atlanta Dream defeated the Connecticut Sun 87-62, marking their fifth consecutive win and securing second place in the WNBA standings. This victory gave first-year head coach Karl Smesko a WNBA record with 29 wins, the most for a rookie coach, surpassing a 25-year-old record previously held by Michael Cooper. Key players included Rhyne Howard with 18 points, Allisha Gray with 15, and Naz Hillmon with 14 points and significant defensive contributions. The Dream pulled away with a strong second-half performance, outscoring the Sun 42-19, fueled by efficient shooting and strong rebounding. Connecticut's Saniya Rivers set a rookie record with 42 three-pointers on the season but could not overcome the Dream's dominance, especially on the road where the Sun hold a 4-18 record. The Dream will close the regular season with another game against Connecticut, aiming to maintain momentum heading into the playoffs.