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4w ago

Karl Smesko Sets WNBA First-Year Wins Record as Dream Rout Sun

The longtime FGCU coach has the 29-14 Dream locked into the playoffs with seeding still in play.

(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Aug 29, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko on the sideline against the Dallas Wings in the first quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • An 87-62 win over the Connecticut Sun on Monday marked Smesko’s 29th victory, breaking Michael Cooper’s 2000 record for a first-year WNBA head coach.
  • Atlanta improved to 29-14, leads the Eastern Conference, has won five straight, and has already secured a playoff berth.
  • The Dream enter their finale holding a half-game edge for the No. 2 seed over Las Vegas, which has a game in hand and the head-to-head tiebreaker.
  • Five Atlanta players scored in double figures, led by Rhyne Howard’s 18 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals.
  • Atlanta closes the regular season Wednesday at Connecticut in Uncasville at 7 p.m. ET.