Atlanta Dream host Minnesota Lynx for WNBA season opener at Target Arena
Two top-three regular season teams from last year clash in a season opener defined by significant roster turnover and injury concerns ahead of the broadcast on Victory+.
The Atlanta Dream are set to host the Minnesota Lynx for the WNBA season opener at Target Arena, a matchup that highlights significant structural shifts within both squads following the offseason. The fixture marks the competitive debut of Angel Reese with the Dream, a move that follows her trade from Chicago during the break. This arrival coincides with the return of Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard to the Atlanta roster, though the team will operate without Brionna Jones, who is unavailable due to knee surgery.
For the Lynx, the roster composition has been altered by the acquisition of Olivia Miles, the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, alongside veteran additions such as Kayla McBride. However, the presence of star player Napheesa Collier remains a variable for the opening night. The Lynx have signed Collier to a one-year max contract, yet she is recovering from ankle surgery sustained in March and is currently expected to be sidelined until June.
The statistical pedigree of both clubs entering this campaign remains high, having finished in the top three of the regular season standings last year. The Lynx entered the previous postseason as the No. 1 seed, while the Dream secured the No. 3 seed before the trade for Reese. Gray, who returns to Atlanta on a three-year max-plus deal, averaged 18.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists last season, while Howard, the 2022 No. 1 overall pick, contributed 17.1 points and 4.6 assists in the prior campaign.
Collier, who was ranked No. 2 in the WNBA for scoring last season, brings elite defensive capabilities to the Minnesota lineup, having finished in the top five for both blocks and steals. Despite her ranking and the investment made by the club, the uncertainty surrounding her recovery timeline suggests the Lynx may need to rely heavily on the contributions of Miles and McBride in the immediate term.
The game is scheduled to take place on Saturday night, with coverage for this specific matchup limited to the Victory+ streaming service. Both clubs are eager to establish their standing early in the season, following a previous year where neither team reached the finals despite strong regular season performances.
