The veteran wing had one of the best games of her career, showing how much she’s grown on and off the court
By: Em Adler
In a year full of success stories and steps forward in Atlanta, Allisha Gray continues to be one of the brightest stars. The first-time All-Star recorded the first 25-point, 8-rebound, 6-assist game of her career on Thursday night against the Liberty, per Stathead. And it came on just 16 shots, too.
But Gray was less concerned with that fact than the final outcome.
“None of that matters if we’re not winning games,” Gray said after the 95-84 loss. “I don’t care about how many points I score; end of the day, it’s all about the team.”
Gray’s approach is part of what makes her such a valuable addition to the Dream. The veteran wing, acquired from Dallas via trade this past January, has made the playoffs four times in her career. Last year, she excelled in the Wings’ postseason series against Connecticut, helping push the Finals-bound Sun to an elimination game.
Her experience is crucial for an Atlanta team looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
Gray’s move to the Big A hasn’t just been beneficial for the team around her, though. In her seventh year in the WNBA, Gray is averaging career-highs in points (17.9), rebounds (5.2), assists (3.5) and overall field goal percentage (48.0%). She’s also getting to the line more often than ever before, which has led to the second-highest scoring efficiency of her career (58.6% true-shooting, a stat similar to field goal percentage that accounts for 3-pointers and free-throws).
Want to see the Dream this season? You better get tickets now or we may be SOLD OUT!
“I feel comfortable. Coach [Tanisha Wright] brought us in, everybody has their role, and you execute your role,” Gray said before Thursday’s game. “So I know my role, and I just continue to execute it. Because that’s what she told me to do, so imma do it.”
Gray is doing this all while continuing to be one of the league’s most consistently great 3-point shooters and a standout defender. If Atlanta’s front office was expecting Gray to be a consistent, high-quality role player, they were mistaken — because Gray has been one of the absolute best guards in the league.
“All-around game, two-way player,” Gray said when describing her strengths. “So I get it done on both ends, defensively and offensively. So that’s the main thing. [And I’m a] rebounding guard, being able to push in transition, make plays happen.”
Allisha Gray’s career year isn’t just attributable to what happens on the hardwood. She and second-year guard Rhyne Howard have become close friends, setting aside their SEC-rival differences — Gray is a former Gamecock, while Howard played for the Wildcats — to form a bond that has helped both grow as they lead their resurgent franchise. There’s no doubt Gray has acclimated to Atlanta so quickly because of their friendship.
But their bond on the hardwood is pretty important, too.
“We both can go off in the same game and just feed off of each other. I always know where she is out on the court, I’m trying to get her to always know where I am on the court,” Howard said with a laugh. “But it’s just great to have that extra space — if teams are focused on her, I have more space to create for everybody.”
The idea that there is even more room for Howard and Gray to grow together should be terrifying to the rest of the WNBA. With Gray having signed a two-year extension to stay in Atlanta through 2025, it’s safe to say that the Dream’s good vibes are here to stay.
“I feel right at home. I love Atlanta, I’m glad I got traded here. The chemistry is great,” Gray said after the Dream’s June game in New York. “It’s just a positive atmosphere. And I love it.”
###