Aari McDonald #2 of the Atlanta Dream goes to the basket during the game on September 1, 2023, at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)

Leading Atlanta to Outscore the Lynx in Bench Points 32-24 

By: Terry Horstman

Of all the notable stat lines in the Dream’s heartbreaking overtime loss in Minnesota on Friday night, it’s tough to diminish the bench contributions by both Naz Hillmon and Aari McDonald. 

Hillmon was the first sub of the game and went on to play a season-high in minutes with 26:05. Allisha Gray got into foul trouble early in the second half creating an opportunity for the bench to carry a bigger load. 

McDonald and Hillmon scored 14 and 13 points respectively, leading the way for Atlanta to outscore the Lynx in bench points 32-24. 

“We talk about ‘next woman up’ mentality all the time and just being read when you’re number’s called,” Hillman said after the game. “That’s just something that everyone who is coming off the bench focuses on. Not taking anything out of turn, or shots that aren’t your shots, but just trying to come in and continue the flow of the game and whatever comes from that comes from that.” 

Hillmon finished one rebound shy of a double-double with a season-high nine boards off the glass. Her +/- rating also reached as high as +18 at one point in the fourth quarter before Minnesota made their run late and in overtime. An impressive metric in a back-and-forth game where neither team led by more than nine at any point. Hillmon finished with a team-high +7, bested in the game only by the Lynx’s Tiffany Mitchell (+16) and Bridget Carleton (+8).  

McDonald’s scoring kept the Dream in the game. 10 of her 14 points came in the second half and overtime. Her first three-point make of the game, a corner three in front of Minnesota’s bench, gave Atlanta their biggest lead of the night at 74-67 with 2:28 to go. She added another three in overtime to finish 2-of-4 from deep and 5-of-10 overall on the night, but it wasn’t enough to withstand Minnesota’s late surge. 

“I’ve been focusing on my footwork and making sure I have a wider base and just getting my elbow up high when I shoot it,” McDonald said pregame when asked about her recent three-point shooting success since returning from a shoulder injury earlier this season. “Seeing some shots go through, you know I was broke, I’m just trying to be consistent and just find my way back.”

McDonald added four assists and didn’t commit a turnover in just over 28 minutes on the floor.