Atlanta Dream Star Criticizes Home Fans Cheering A'ja Wilson MVP Chants

The Atlanta Dream suffered an 81-75 loss to the Las Vegas Aces, with a pivotal third quarter dominated by A'ja Wilson, who scored 34 points and led the Aces to their 12th consecutive win. During the game, Wilson received loud 'MVP' chants from the Atlanta crowd, reflecting her status as a top player and her ties to South Carolina, which upset Dream star Rhyne Howard. Howard publicly criticized the home fans for cheering against their own team and supporting Wilson, a former South Carolina standout, instead of the Dream's own Gamecock players like Allisha Gray and Te-Hina Paopao. She emphasized the importance of loyal fan support, especially with the playoffs approaching, and expressed frustration that the crowd made the game feel like an away game for Atlanta. Despite the Dream's strong season and potential playoff position, the divided fan allegiance exposed challenges for the team in maintaining momentum in home games. Howard’s comments highlight the complex dynamic between regional loyalties and team support in professional sports.