The Phoenix Mercury let a double-digit lead slip away Sunday afternoon as the Atlanta Dream rallied late to hand Phoenix an 82-80 loss on May 24, 2026, at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia. The defeat marked another frustrating chapter in the Mercury’s early-season struggles, dropping Phoenix to 2-5 on the season while Atlanta improved to 4-1.

Phoenix looked in complete control early, dominating the first quarter with aggressive defense, strong ball movement, and efficient scoring. The Mercury jumped out to a commanding 25-13 lead after the opening period and maintained momentum into halftime with a 44-37 advantage. For much of the first half, Phoenix appeared poised to secure a much-needed road victory.

The game shifted dramatically in the fourth quarter.

Atlanta erupted offensively in the final frame, scoring 33 points while Phoenix struggled to slow down the Dream’s transition attack and second-chance opportunities. The Mercury entered the fourth quarter leading 57-49, but defensive breakdowns and costly late-game mistakes opened the door for Atlanta’s comeback.

Rhyne Howard led the Dream with 21 points and delivered several clutch baskets during Atlanta’s fourth-quarter surge. Allisha Gray added 17 points, while Angel Reese posted a dominant double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Jordin Canada also recorded a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds, helping Atlanta control the glass late in the game.

One of the defining moments came in the final seconds when Angel Reese stripped the ball away from Alyssa Thomas, effectively ending Phoenix’s final opportunity to steal the game back.

Despite the loss, Phoenix showed flashes of strong defensive intensity and offensive rhythm early in the contest. However, the inability to sustain that energy for four quarters continues to be a growing concern for the Mercury during the opening stretch of the 2026 WNBA season.

The Mercury offense stalled repeatedly in the second half, particularly against Atlanta’s increased defensive pressure. Turnovers, missed defensive assignments, and rebounding issues ultimately proved too much to overcome.

Phoenix now faces mounting pressure to regroup as the road trip continues. Consistency on both ends of the floor remains one of the team’s biggest challenges, especially in closing out games against quality opponents.

For Atlanta, the comeback victory further establishes the Dream as one of the hottest teams in the league early this season. Their physical defense, rebounding dominance, and late-game execution overwhelmed Phoenix when it mattered most.

​The Mercury will look to bounce back in their next matchup as they attempt to halt their early-season slide and rediscover the defensive identity that carried them through stretches of Sunday’s game.