The Atlanta Dream endured another frustrating night on Thursday, falling 81-76 to the Washington Mystics in a tightly contested matchup at CareFirst Arena. The defeat marked Atlanta’s fourth consecutive loss, dropping the club to 12-8 as it continues searching for consistency heading into the second half of the WNBA season.
Although the game remained close throughout the final two quarters, the Dream struggled to capitalize on numerous opportunities. Poor shooting ultimately proved costly, as Atlanta connected on just 36 percent of its field-goal attempts and converted only seven of its 31 shots from beyond the three-point line. Even forcing 28 turnovers and scoring 28 points off those mistakes was not enough to overcome the offensive struggles.
Following the game, head coach Karl Smesko, along with players Rhyne Howard and Jordin Canada, voiced frustration with the officiating. Smesko described several calls during the contest as “borderline bizarre,” reflecting the team’s disappointment after another narrow defeat.
Before the game, however, Smesko addressed another topic that had already drawn attention around the league—the announcement of the WNBA All-Star starters. The veteran coach made it clear he believed several members of his roster had earned starting selections based on their performances throughout the season.
1. Smesko Questions All-Star Voting Outcome
Speaking before Thursday’s matchup, Smesko did not hide his disappointment after none of Atlanta’s players were voted into the All-Star starting lineup. While acknowledging the voting process, he argued that several Dream players had built résumés worthy of earning starting honors.
“It’s really disappointing,” Smesko said, explaining that three members of his team came close to securing starting spots. In his view, their consistent production throughout the season should have been enough to place them among the league’s opening five for the exhibition game.
The Dream coach pointed to the fan voting component as a major factor in the final outcome. Since fan ballots account for half of the overall voting process, Smesko suggested Atlanta simply did not receive enough public support to push its candidates into starting positions.
Despite that frustration, he emphasized that the players’ performances themselves were not the issue. Instead, he viewed the results as a reflection of the voting system rather than the quality of basketball his team’s stars have displayed throughout the season.
2. Dream Stars Still Expected to Earn All-Star Recognition
Although no Atlanta player secured a starting role, Smesko remains confident several members of his roster will still be selected as All-Star reserves. The reserve teams are determined through voting by the league’s coaches rather than fans.
His comments appeared to reference Rhyne Howard, Angel Reese, and Allisha Gray, all of whom have played significant roles in helping Atlanta remain among the league’s more competitive teams this season. Smesko believes each has demonstrated the level of play expected from an All-Star.
The coach also campaigned for veteran guard Jordin Canada, praising her impact on both ends of the floor. Smesko described Canada as having an exceptional season and argued that her overall contributions deserve recognition alongside her teammates.
At the same time, he acknowledged the challenge that coaches face when filling out reserve ballots. Because many prefer to spread selections across multiple teams, choosing four players from the same roster can become difficult, even when several deserve serious consideration.
3. Dream Look Ahead as All-Star Decisions Near
The WNBA is expected to announce the All-Star reserves on Tuesday, providing the next opportunity for Atlanta’s standout performers to receive league-wide recognition. Smesko expressed optimism that the Dream will ultimately have multiple representatives on the roster despite missing out on starting positions.
The discussion surrounding the voting process has also drawn broader attention after reports indicated that fewer than half of the league’s players submitted ballots for the All-Star Game. That statistic has fueled conversations about participation and how different voting groups influence the final selections.
Meanwhile, Atlanta remains focused on ending its recent slide on the court. The Dream have dropped four straight games, and improving their offensive efficiency will likely be a priority after another difficult shooting performance against Washington.
Despite the recent setbacks, the organization continues to believe its roster features several of the league’s top performers. With the second half of the season approaching and the All-Star festivities drawing near, Atlanta hopes both its results and individual recognition will soon reflect the level of talent Smesko believes his team possesses.