2025 Atlanta Dream season

2025 Atlanta Dream season
CoachKarl Smesko
ArenaGateway Center Arena
Attendanceper game
Results
Record12–7 (.632)
Place2nd (Eastern)
2026 season →

The 2025 Atlanta Dream season is 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

Free agency

Re-signed

Player Date Notes Ref.
Maya Caldwell January 18, 2025 Training camp contract [10]

Additions

Player Date Notes Former Team Ref.
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough February 1 One-year deal Washington Mystics [11]
Brittney Griner Phoenix Mercury [12]
Brionna Jones Connecticut Sun [13]
Holly Winterburn February 5 Training camp contract Beşiktaş HDI Sigorta
(Turkey)
[14]
Ashley Joens March 6 Athinaikos AS Vurona
(Greece)
[15]
Maria Gakdeng April 17 North Carolina Tar Heels [16][17]
Emani Jefferson Florida Gulf Coast Eagles [16]
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 [18]
Shyanne Sellers May 5 Awarded off waivers Golden State Valkyries [19]

Subtractions / Unsigned

Player Date Reason New Team Ref.
Maite Cazorla January 16, 2022 Suspended contract – expired
Iliana Rupert December 6, 2024 Expansion draft Golden State Valkyries [20]
Danielle Robinson January 1, 2025 Retired N/A [21][22]
Laeticia Amihere February 1, 2025 Waived Golden State Valkyries [23][24]
Tina Charles February 2, 2025 Free agency – uncoreable unrestricted Connecticut Sun [25]
Cheyenne Parker-Tyus February 6, 2025 Free agency – unrestricted Las Vegas Aces [26]
Holly Winterburn April 7, 2025 Suspended contract – full season N/A – retained rights [27]
DeYona Gaston May 5, 2025 Waived [28]
Maria Gakdeng May 8, 2025 [29]
Emani Jefferson
Ashley Joens May 10, 2025 [30]
Shyanne Sellers May 12, 2025 [31]
Haley Jones May 14, 2025 [32]
Aerial Powers June 10, 2025 Free agency – unrestricted Golden State Valkyries [33]
Lorela Cubaj Free agency – reserved
(qualifying offer extended)
TBA [34]
Ezinne Kalu Free agency – unrestricted TBA

Roster

PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHeightWeightDOBFromYrs
G33Caldwell, Maya5' 11" (1.8m)160 lb (73kg)1998-12-15Georgia3
G3Canada, Jordin5' 6" (1.68m)135 lb (61kg)1995-08-11UCLA7
F12Coffey, Nia6' 1" (1.85m)182 lb (83kg)1995-06-11Northwestern8
G15Gray, Allisha6' 0" (1.83m)167 lb (76kg)1995-01-12South Carolina8
C42Griner, Brittney6' 9" (2.06m)205 lb (93kg)1990-10-18Baylor11
F00Hillmon, Naz6' 2" (1.88m)190 lb (86kg)2000-04-05Michigan3
F10Howard, Rhyne6' 2" (1.88m)175 lb (79kg)2000-04-29Kentucky3
C24Jones, Brionna6' 3" (1.91m)215 lb (98kg)1995-12-18Maryland8
F5Thierry, Taylor6' 1" (1.85m)2003-01-08Ohio StateR
G2Paopao, Te-Hina5' 9" (1.75m)2002-08-21South CarolinaR
G32Walker-Kimbrough, Shatori5' 9" (1.75m)140 lb (64kg)1995-05-18Maryland8
GBorlase, Isobel (DP)5' 11" (1.8m)2004-09-12Australia
F/CCubaj, Lorela (FA)6' 4" (1.93m)200 lb (91kg)1999-01-08Georgia Tech3
FPuoch, Nyadiew (DP)6' 3" (1.91m)2004-06-23Australia
GVilla, Matilde (DP)5' 7" (1.7m)2004-12-09Italy
GWinterburn, Holly (S)5' 11" (1.8m)2000-10-01Oregon / East London
Head coach
Karl Smesko (Kent State)
Assistant coaches
Camryn Brown (High Point)
Chelsea Lyles (Florida Gulf Coast)
Brandi Poole (Sewanee)
LaToya Sanders (North Carolina)
Athletic trainer
Katie Buria (Arkansas)
Strength and conditioning coach
Shannon Jackson (Auburn)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

  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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 May 7 @ Washington W 80–70 Brittney Griner (16) Brittney Griner (10) Te-Hina Paopao (4) CareFirst Arena
4,200
1–0
2 May 10 Indiana L 76–81 Te-Hina Paopao (14) Allisha Gray (6) Allisha Gray (4) Gateway Center Arena
3,265
1–1
2025 pre-season schedule

Regular season

2025 game log
Total: 12–7 (Home: 8–3; Road: 4–4)
May: 5–2 (Home: 2–1; Road: 3–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 May 16 @ Washington L 90–94 Allisha Gray (25) Brionna Jones (10) Allisha Gray (7) CareFirst Arena
4,200
0–1
2 May 20 @ Indiana W 91–90 Brittney Griner (21) Brionna Jones (13) Allisha Gray (6) Gainbridge Fieldhouse
16,269
1–1
3 May 22 Indiana L 76–81 Rhyne Howard (24) Brionna Jones (11) Jones, Paopao (3) State Farm Arena
17,044
1–2
4 May 24 Dallas W 83–75 Allisha Gray (27) Brionna Jones (15) Rhyne Howard (10) Gateway Center Arena
3,265
2–2
5 May 25 Connecticut W 79–55 Nia Coffey (18) Nia Coffey (11) Maya Caldwell (6) Gateway Center Arena
3,265
3–2
6 May 27 @ Los Angeles W 88–82 Allisha Gray (25) Rhyne Howard (9) Rhyne Howard (7) Crypto.com Arena
10,797
4–2
7 May 30 @ Seattle W 94–87 Rhyne Howard (33) Naz Hillmon (7) Rhyne Howard (5) Climate Pledge Arena
9,666
5–2
June : 6–4 (Home: 5–1; Road: 1–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
8 June 6 @ Connecticut L 76–84 Brittney Griner (18) Brittney Griner (6) Rhyne Howard (6) Mohegan Sun Arena
8,078
5–3
9 June 10 Indiana W 77–58 Allisha Gray (23) Brionna Jones (10) Canada, Hillmon, Howard (5) Gateway Center Arena
3,265
6–3
10 June 13 Chicago W 88–70 Rhyne Howard (36) Brionna Jones (11) Jordin Canada (8) Gateway Center Arena
3,296
7–3
11 June 15 @ Washington W 89–56 Allisha Gray (32) Naz Hillmon (11) Hillmon, Paopao (5) CareFirst Arena
4,200
8–3
12 June 17 @ New York L 81–86 Te-Hina Paopao (16) Hillmon, Howard (7) Rhyne Howard (9) Barclays Center
15,149
8–4
13 June 20 Washington W 92–91 Allisha Gray (18) Brittney Griner (7) Howard, Jones (6) Gateway Center Arena
3,265
9–4
14 June 22 Chicago W 93–80 Rhyne Howard (22) Brionna Jones (11) Gray, Hillmon (4) Gateway Center Arena
3,283
10–4
15 June 24 @ Dallas L 55–68 Rhyne Howard (23) Rhyne Howard (8) Naz Hillmon (3) College Park Center
6,251
10–5
16 June 27 Minnesota L 92–96 (OT) Brionna Jones (18) Gray, Hillmon, Jones (8) Rhyne Howard (8) Gateway Center Arena
3,265
10–6
17 June 29 New York W 90–81 Brionna Jones (21) Allisha Gray (9) Jordin Canada (8) Gateway Center Arena
3,265
11–6
July: 1–1 (Home: 1–1; Road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
18 July 3 Seattle L 79–80 Jordin Canada (25) Allisha Gray (11) Jordin Canada (5) Gateway Center Arena
3,265
11–7
19 July 7 Golden State W 90–81 Allisha Gray (24) Brionna Jones (8) Jordin Canada (9) Gateway Center Arena
3,265
12–7
20 July 11 @ Indiana Gainbridge Fieldhouse
21 July 13 @ New York Barclays Center
22 July 16 @ Chicago Wintrust Arena
All-Star Game
23 July 22 @ Las Vegas Michelob Ultra Arena
24 July 23 @ Phoenix PHX Arena
25 July 27 @ Minnesota Target Center
26 July 29 Golden State Gateway Center Arena
27 July 30 @ Dallas College Park Center
August : 0–0 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
28 August 1 Phoenix Gateway Center Arena
29 August 3 Washington Gateway Center Arena
30 August 7 @ Chicago Wintrust Arena
31 August 10 @ Phoenix PHX Arena
32 August 13 @ Seattle Climate Pledge Arena
33 August 15 Seattle Rogers Arena
34 August 17 @ Golden State Chase Center
35 August 19 @ Las Vegas Michelob Ultra Arena
36 August 21 Minneosta Gateway Center Arena
37 August 23 New York Gateway Center Arena
38 August 27 Las Vegas Gateway Center Arena
39 August 29 Dallas Gateway Center Arena
September : 0–0 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
40 September 1 @ Connecticut Mohegan Sun Arena
41 September 3 Los Angeles Gateway Center Arena
42 September 5 Los Angeles Gateway Center Arena
43 September 8 Connecticut Gateway Center Arena
44 September 10 @ Connecticut Mohegan Sun Arena
2025 season schedule

Notes:

  • Games highlighted in ██ represent Commissioner's Cup games.
  • Game highlighted in ██ represents the 2025 WNBA Canada game.

Standings

# Team W L PCT GB Conf. Home Road Cup
1 Minnesota Lynx 17 2 .895 12–1 11–0 6–2 5–1
2 Phoenix Mercury 13 6 .684 4 7–6 8–3 5–3 4–2
3 New York Liberty 12 6 .667 4.5 7–2 7–2 5–4 4–1
4 12 7 .632 5 8–4 8–3 4–4 3–2
5 Seattle Storm 12 7 .632 5 8–5 6–3 6–4 4–2
6 Golden State Valkyries 9 9 .500 7.5 5–5 7–3 2–6 3–3
7 cIndiana Fever 9 9 .500 7.5 6–5 5–5 4–4 4–1
8 Las Vegas Aces 9 9 .500 7.5 4–6 5–4 4–5 2–4
9 Washington Mystics 8 10 .444 8.5 5–5 5–3 3–7 2–3
10 Los Angeles Sparks 6 13 .316 11 3–9 1–7 5–6 2–4
11 Dallas Wings 6 14 .300 11.5 2–9 4–6 2–8 1–4
12 Chicago Sky 5 12 .294 11 1–7 2–4 3–8 1–4
13 Connecticut Sun 2 16 .111 14.5 2–6 1–7 1–9 1–5

Notes

(#) – League Standing
c – Commissioner's Cup winners
x – Clinched playoff berth
e – Eliminated from playoff contention
Source: Overall standings and Commissioner's Cup Standings


Awards and honors

Recipient Award Date awarded Ref.
Allisha Gray Eastern Conference Player of the Week June 3 [35]
June 17 [36]
Eastern Conference Player of the Month – May June 4 [37]
Eastern Conference Player of the Month – June July 3 [38]
WNBA All-Star Starter June 30 [39]
Rhyne Howard WNBA All-Star Reserve July 7 [40]

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b "Atlanta Dream Announce 2025 Regular Season Roster". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Taylor Thierry – WNBA Contract". Spotrac. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  4. ^ "The Atlanta Dream have made the difficult decision to part ways with head coach Tanisha Wright". dream.wnba.com. October 2, 2024.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "Atlanta Dream Announce Additions to Coaching Staff and Front Office". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. January 6, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  7. ^ "Atlanta Dream Elevates Marketing and Creative Vision with Key Leadership Additions". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. March 17, 2025. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  8. ^ "Atlanta Dream Complete 2025 Coaching Staff with Additions of Chelsea Lyles and Camryn Brown". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. March 31, 2025. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  9. ^ "Atlanta Dream Bolster Basketball Operations Department with Key Additions and Strategic Promotions". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. April 24, 2025. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  10. ^ @ATLDreamPR (January 18, 2025). "Guard Maya Caldwell has re-signed with the Atlanta Dream, the organization announced today" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ^ "Atlanta Dream Sign Veteran Guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. February 1, 2025. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  12. ^ "Atlanta Dream Sign Brittney Griner in Historic Free Agent Acquisition". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. February 1, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  13. ^ "Atlanta Dream Sign Three-Time All-Star Brionna Jones". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. February 1, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  14. ^ @AtlantaDream (February 5, 2025). "Welcome to the 🅰️! The Dream has signed @hollywinterburn to a Training Camp contract" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  15. ^ "Atlanta Dream Signs Ashley Joens to Training Camp Contract". Atlanta Dream. March 7, 2025. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  16. ^ a b "Atlanta Dream Sign Emani Jefferson and Maria Gakdang to Training Camp Contracts". Atlanta Dream. April 18, 2025. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
  17. ^ "Tar Heel Duo Earns WNBA Training Camp Invites". Go Heels. April 15, 2025. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  18. ^ "Atlanta Dream Sign DeYona Gaston to Training Camp Contract". Atlanta Dream. April 27, 2025. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  19. ^ Atlanta Dream PR [@ATLDreamPR] (May 5, 2025). "The Atlanta Dream have acquired Shyanne Sellers off waivers" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  20. ^ "Golden State Valkyries begin constructing inaugural roster with 11 selections in 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft". nba.com. NBA. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  21. ^ @danirob13; (January 1, 2025). ""Well done, good and faithful servant"" – via Instagram.
  22. ^ Hansen, Mitchell (January 2, 2025). "Former Minnesota Lynx Fan Favorite Announces Retirement". Canis Hoopus.
  23. ^ @ATLDreamPR (February 1, 2025). "The Atlanta Dream have waived forward Laeticia Amihere, the organization announced today" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  24. ^ "Golden State Valkyries Sign Laeticia Amihere". valkyries.wnba.com. WNBA. February 6, 2025. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  25. ^ "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.
  26. ^ Philippou, Alexa (February 6, 2025). "Aces sign veteran forward Cheyenne Parker-Tyus to 1-year deal". ESPN. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  27. ^ "Atlanta Dream Guard Holly Winterburn to Miss 2025 WNBA Season Due to Injury". dream.wnba.com. WNBA. April 7, 2025. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  28. ^ Atlanta Dream [@AtlantaDream] (May 5, 2025). "The Atlanta Dream have waived forward DeYona Gaston" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  29. ^ Atlanta Dream [@AtlantaDream] (May 8, 2025). "The Atlanta Dream have waived forward Maria Gakdeng and guard Emani Jefferson" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  30. ^ Atlanta Dream PR [@ATLDreamPR] (May 10, 2025). "The Atlanta Dream have waived guard Ashley Joens" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  31. ^ Atlanta Dream [@AtlantaDream] (May 12, 2025). "The Atlanta Dream have waived guard Shyanne Sellers" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  32. ^ Atlanta Dream [@AtlantaDream] (May 14, 2025). "The Atlanta Dream have waived guard/forward Haley Jones" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  33. ^ "Golden State Valkyries Sign Guard Aerial Powers". Golden State Valkyries. WNBA. June 10, 2025. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  34. ^ @WNBAMoves (January 15, 2025). "Reserved Qualifying Offer: Lorela Cubaj, Dream" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  35. ^ "Allisha Gray Named WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week". Atlanta Dream. WNBA. June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  36. ^ "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.
  37. ^ "Allisha Gray Named Kia WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month". dream.wnba.com. WNBA. June 4, 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  38. ^ "Allisha Gray Named Kia WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month for June". dream.wnba.com. WNBA. July 3, 2025. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  39. ^ "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.
  40. ^ 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.