Chelsea Gray’s Late Jumper Lifts Aces Past Dream After Atlanta’s Furious Rally

The Las Vegas Aces survived a dramatic late scare on Sunday night, edging the Atlanta Dream 85-84 at State Farm Arena thanks to a clutch final possession from veteran guard Chelsea Gray. What had appeared to be a comfortable win turned into a tense finish after Atlanta mounted a furious fourth-quarter rally.

Gray delivered the decisive basket with just over three seconds remaining, silencing a Dream comeback that erased nearly a 19-point deficit. Her shot capped a strong overall performance as she finished with 21 points, six assists, and five rebounds.

The victory allowed Las Vegas to extend its strong early-season form, improving to 4-1 while continuing to build momentum following an opening-night setback. Despite the narrow margin, the Aces once again showed their ability to execute in high-pressure moments.

Atlanta, meanwhile, saw its comeback effort fall just short despite a dominant surge late in the game, highlighting both its resilience and its struggles to sustain consistency across four quarters.

1. Gray Seals Win In Final Seconds

With the game tied down the stretch, Chelsea Gray took control of the final possession and connected on a mid-range jumper with just over three seconds left to give the Aces the lead for good. The shot capped a composed offensive sequence under pressure. Gray’s performance was central to Las Vegas’ ability to withstand Atlanta’s late push, as she provided both scoring and playmaking throughout the night. Her late-game execution underscored her role as one of the team’s most reliable closers. Video shared on social media showed the decisive basket, highlighting the calm and precision of the veteran guard in a high-stakes moment. It ultimately prevented what would have been a complete collapse by the Aces. Her impact extended beyond the final shot, as she consistently helped stabilize the offense during stretches when Atlanta threatened to seize control.

2. Atlanta’s Fourth-Quarter Surge Falls Short

Atlanta appeared to be in control of the game early in the fourth quarter, trailing by 17 points before unleashing a 16-0 run that completely shifted momentum. That surge turned a lopsided deficit into a one-point lead. Madina Okot sparked the rally with consecutive baskets, while Te-Hina Paopao added a key three-pointer to tighten the score. The Dream’s defensive intensity also increased significantly during the run. Jordin Canada eventually gave Atlanta an 84-83 lead with a driving layup with just 36.5 seconds remaining, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. However, the Dream were unable to convert their final possession. Despite the loss, Atlanta’s comeback highlighted its ability to compete with one of the league’s top teams, even while playing from behind for most of the night.

3. Aces Maintain Momentum, Key Performances Stand Out

A’ja Wilson continued her strong start to the season with 20 points, while also moving past head coach Becky Hammon on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list, further adding to her historic career trajectory. Her presence helped steady the team during Atlanta’s rally. Chennedy Carter also contributed 20 points off the bench, providing valuable scoring depth that proved important in a tightly contested game. Las Vegas relied on multiple contributors to withstand Atlanta’s pressure. The Dream were without key guard Rhyne Howard, who remains in concussion protocol, yet still managed a strong team effort led by Allisha Gray’s 25 points and Paopao’s 19. Their production nearly carried Atlanta to an upset win. The loss dropped Atlanta to 2-1 on the season, while Las Vegas continued its strong start and will next return home to face the Los Angeles Sparks as it looks to extend its winning streak.