Allisha Gray scores 26 points, including seven 3-pointers, as Dream beat Mercury

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. (AP) — Allisha Gray scored 26 points, including a career-high seven 3-pointers, and Naz Hillmon had 18 points and nine rebounds in her first start of the season as the Atlanta Dream beat the Phoenix Mercury 96-72 on Friday night.

Mercury forward Satou Sabally did not play in the second half, as coach Nate Tibbetts said she “didn’t bring the energy that we needed,” per Desert Wave Media. Sabally had nine points (4-for-10 shooting) and one rebound in 12 minutes.

Atlanta scored 34 points in the first quarter after making 62% of its shots, including 8 for 11 from 3-point range. Gray had 14 points in the quarter— a career-high for any quarter — and Maya Caldwell added 11 to outscore Phoenix’s 23 points. The Dream’s eight 3-pointers tied a franchise record for any quarter.

The Dream extended their lead to 58-42 at halftime behind 16 points and four 3-pointers by Gray. A 9-0 run to begin the third quarter made it 67-42 before Phoenix made its first basket of the half with 6:30 left.

Atlanta had 84 points and 12 3-pointers entering the fourth.

Brionna Jones had 16 points and eight rebounds, and Caldwell added a season-high 14 points for Atlanta (17-11). Gray was 8 for 12 from the floor, including 7 for 9 from 3-point range, to reach 25-plus points for the seventh time this season. Brittney Griner (neck) and Rhyne Howard (left knee) did not play.

Kahleah Copper led Phoenix (16-11) with 19 points. Alyssa Thomas had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Thomas moved into 13th in league history with 2,579 career rebounds.

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