The Atlanta Dream are on a roll, and it’s not going unnoticed by the city’s other stars. Jalen Johnson was courtside Saturday when the Dream beat the Indiana Fever for the second time in a row, pushing their winning streak to three games. The Hawks forward didn’t mince words when asked what he’s seeing from the team.
“They’ve just been playing well,” Johnson said. “It’s just good what they’re doing for the city.”
He wasn’t the only NBA guy in the building. CJ McCollum brought his son to the game, and the Dream turned what could have been a trap game into another double-digit win. The offense has been humming during this stretch, and it’s starting to look like last season’s No. 3 seed was no fluke.
What’s Working for Atlanta Right Now
The Dream are 11-4 and sitting in third place. That’s a better start than most people expected after they traded for Angel Reese in the offseason. The move was designed to get them over the hump after a first-round playoff exit last year — also at the hands of the Fever — and so far it’s working out. Reese has fit in alongside the core, giving Atlanta a different kind of energy on both ends.
But here’s the thing: they aren’t even at full strength yet. Brionna Jones is still working her way back from that meniscus injury she picked up last year. The latest update is that she’ll resume team activities in the coming weeks. Adding an All-Star post player to a team that’s already playing this well? That’s the kind of depth that wins playoff series.
The Dream finished third in the standings last season under first-year head coach Karl Smesko but couldn’t get out of the first round. They clearly identified the missing piece and went out and got it. Reese isn’t just a box score player — she’s bringing a physical edge that this team didn’t always have down the stretch of close games.
Johnson’s comments reflect what a lot of people around the league are starting to say quietly. Atlanta is for real. The city shows up for winners, and the Dream are giving their fans something to get excited about. With Jones coming back and the chemistry looking stronger every game, there’s no reason to think this is just a hot start that’ll fade.
They’ve already proven they can beat good teams. The next test will be whether they can sustain it over a full season and finally get past that first-round wall.
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