Atlanta’s dream has been renewed this season. They hired the former FGCU female basketball coach, Karl Symesko, and signed players like Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones. There were many questions about the adjustment of Griner and Jones in particular, given Smesko’s style when he trained in the NCAA. Coming from a system that prioritized the perimeter shooting, bringing two players of dominant posts like Griner and Jones seemed … strange?
How would that work? Who would start? Would Smesko still expect these players to shoot three? All are valid questions that fans asked before the first preseason game of Atlanta against the Mystics. With a tap of 11:30 am et for accommodation a day of excursion for local students, fans of the west coast were probably still expected their coffee to work in full time when the game began.
They probably rubbed his eyes to make sure they kept him in seeing things when Atlanta’s first work was a three -point griner from the top of the key. She also shot. Griner is a three -point shooter of 36.4% of the race that only has tasks 44 three in his career of 11 years before this season … so it is fair to say that he has not really pushed his shot.
First possession of dream of Atlanta of the SMESKO era.
Middle PNR with Jordin Canada and Brittney Griner, but looks at the space.
Bri Jones begins in the wing with Rhyne Howard, immerses himself to the afternoon basket. Allisha Gray in the other corner. A lot of space for Canada to explore. pic.twitter.com/0FQJHOPSW
-Nekias (Nuh-ky-u) Duncan (@Nekiasnba) May 7, 2025
Online reactions reflected the shock that this is the first game of the team season:
Present BG Three from the top of the key: Smeskoball is here!
– Myles (@myleshrlich) May 7, 2025
Two brands in the first three minutes I see you bg
– Jamie Steyer Johnson (@jsteyz) May 7, 2025
I still can’t believe the league let Atlanta get bg * and * bron
– Mads (@phxsunz25) May 7, 2025
Griner then hit three others, scoring 10 points to help sleep a two -digit advantage before the first quarter ended. If she can maintain her high skills while continuing to be a dominant force at the edges on both sides of the court? Atlanta will rise in the power ranking of the league (and, possible, classification) quickly. In addition, having Jones to go when BG sits on the bank is incredible valuable for sleep.
There are still questions about how this team will operate with Jones and Griner on the court at the same time. It will also be important to see how the dream competes against the best teams in the League: Las Vegas, New York, Minnesota and Indiana in particular.
Unfortunately, the beginning of the first sleep game also included another injury. Jordin Canada fell on the way, hurting his knee. She was tasks back to the costumes, and it was announced shortly after she would not return to the game.
The new Atlanta player, Shyanne Sellers, whom the team claimed the exemptions of Golden State, has not yet joined the team and was not active for this game.