Cheyenne Parker #32 of the Atlanta Dream goes to the basket during the game on August 3, 2023 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Put Up 20 Points On 8-of-16 and 4-of-4 From The Free Throw Line 

By: Jesse Morrison 

PHOENIX – Despite a 91-71 loss to the Phoenix Mercury (7-19) on Thursday night, Atlanta Dream (14-13) center Cheyenne Parker showed up and showed out in the game.  

Parker had 20 points on 8-of-16 shooting and was a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line in just over 25 minutes of action. She added seven rebounds, which was a team-high, three assists and a great block on Mercury center Megan Gustafson with 9:21 left in the first quarter.  

The Dream center was great in the post on Thursday, fighting through double teams to score big buckets in the paint. It did not matter which Phoenix defender was guarding Parker in the game as she had success in matchups against both Phoenix starting post players in Gustafson and power forward Brianna Turner.  

Parker’s 20-point performance was her fifth of the season with at least 20 points. It was the first 20-plus point game for the 2023 All-Star since June 28 when she dropped a season-high 23 points against the Washington Mystics.  

Parker attributed her great night to having an “aggressive” offensive mindset.  

Parker’s game Thursday was her second-straight solid performance after she had 19 points against the league-best Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday.  

The Dream center discussed what has been working for her in the last two games. 

“Just focusing on getting back to being a dominant post player,” Parker said. 

Atlanta head coach Tanisha Wright echoed what Parker stated when she was asked what she has seen over the past couple of games from Parker. 

“Focusing on being dominant and taking advantage of the opportunities that she’s given,” Wright said. “I think what we have seen from CP the last couple games is who she was before the All-Star break so that’s the expectation I’m sure for herself but definitely from us … .” 

As for the game itself, the Dream came out strong with an early 7-0 run and led 22-17 at the end of the first quarter of play. However, in the second quarter, the Dream were outscored 26-14. In the third quarter, Atlanta was outscored again, this time 27-18. The Dream recovered a bit in the fourth quarter, losing that period just 21-17.  

Even though they lost the game, the Dream are still in a great position in the WNBA standings as they would be the No. 5 seed in the playoffs if the regular season ended Thursday.