Never count the Atlanta Dream out.
The Dream have twice rallied from 15-point deficits this season to win, including Sunday's victory over Phoenix. No one else in the WNBA has done that once according to ESPN.
“We are resilient team, the game isn’t over till it’s over,” Atlanta guard Jordin Canada said after the Dream rallied to beat the Mercury. “We always come together in the fourth quarter, whether we have to make a run or sustain a lead. ... We battle to the very end, we get stops and try to execute down the stretch. What we’ve been doing in the fourth quarter, we got to sustain that in the first three quarters.”
Atlanta sits atop the WNBA standings at 4-1 — the only team in the league with only one loss. The Dream head out for road games at Minnesota and Portland this week.
The Dream are getting everyone's best shot so far which coach Karl Smesko feels will help them down the road.
“When teams play Atlanta it's a big game for everyone now,” he said. “We'll see everyone's best shot. ... Constantly playing against a team's best effort makes you stronger over the course of the season. They are seeing a different team than other teams see. I've noticed that so far this year. ... Happy we met the moment a few times already."
Atlanta moved up to No. 1 for the first time in the 10-year history of the rankings. The Dream were followed by Las Vegas and Minnesota. Indiana, Dallas and New York were next. Golden State and Chicago were seventh and eighth. Los Angeles and Phoenix followed the Sky. Portland, Washington and Toronto were the 11th through 13. Seattle and Connecticut rounded out the poll.
Through the first few weeks of the season, playing at home hasn't really been an advantage for teams. Only two teams have winning records on their home court — Atlanta and Indiana. As a league, teams are 16-30 through Sunday's games.
Kelsey Plum of Los Angeles was the AP player of the week. She averaged 27.0 points, 8.0 assists and 2.5 rebounds to help the Sparks win both their games last week. Plum had a 38-point effort in the win at Las Vegas to spoil the Aces night the champions raised their banner from last season. Other players receiving votes included Natasha Howard of Minnesota and Rhyne Howard of Atlanta.
Atlanta at Minnesota, Wednesday. While a lot was expected of the Dream this season, the Lynx were expected to struggle early on with star Napheesa Collier sidelined after having offseason surgery on her injured ankles in late March. The Lynx have flourished with rookie guard Olivia Miles leading the way.
AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) pressures Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
ZURICH (AP) — Defending champion the United States topped Hungary 7-3 and kept hopes alive of advancing to the quarterfinals at the ice hockey world championship on Monday.
Matthew Tkachuk scored two goals and set up two and captain Justin Faulk and Ryan Leonard also netted twice each in Zurich. Tommy Novak assisted on five goals and netminder Joseph Woll stopped 14 shots.
The Americans' seventh and final Group A game is against Austria on Tuesday. A victory earns them a spot in the quarterfinals.
The U.S. has made the last eight every year since 2011.
Faulk one-timed a low slap shot for a 1-0 lead midway through the opening period and Tkachuk doubled the advantage with a shot between the pads of goaltender Adam Vay on a power play with 1:38 remaining.
It was the second goal for the two-time Stanley Cup winner and Olympic champion in three games since he joined the team on Tuesday.
The U.S. jumped to 4-0 up before the midpoint in the middle period. Leonard scored from the slot and Faulk roofed one into the net with his second on a power play.
Captain Csanad Erdely replied with Hungary’s first followed by Leonard's second on a power play with 1:47 left.
In the final period, Erdely with his second and Gabor Tornyai reduced the deficit to 5-3. Tkachuk answered with an empty net goal and Max Plante finished it off.
In Fribourg, Norway upset Czechia 4-1 to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2012.
The Czechs and Group B leader Canada had already qualified and the fourth and final quarterfinal spot from the group will be decided between Sweden and Slovakia on Tuesday.
Later Monday, Italy faced Slovenia in Fribourg to decide who stays in the top division. Already-relegated Britain met Germany in Zurich.
AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
goaltender Joseph Woll of the U.S., left, concedes a goal from Hungary's Gabor Tornyai, not pictured, during the 2026 IIHF Men's Ice Hockey World Championship preliminary round group A game between United States and Hungary, in Zurich, Switzerland, Monday, May 25, 2026. (Andreas Becker/Keystone via AP)
Ryan Leonard of the U.S., right, celebrates after his side's first goal of the game during the 2026 IIHF Men's Ice Hockey World Championship preliminary round group A game between United States and Hungary, in Zurich, Switzerland, Monday, May 25, 2026. (Andreas Becker/Keystone via AP)
Matthew Tkachuk of the U.S., right, scores against Hungary's goaltender Adam Vay during the 2026 IIHF Men's Ice Hockey World Championship preliminary round group A game between United States and Hungary, in Zurich, Switzerland, Monday, May 25, 2026. (Andreas Becker/Keystone via AP)
Ryan Leonard of the U.S. reaches for the puck during the 2026 IIHF Men's Ice Hockey World Championship preliminary round group A game between United States and Hungary, in Zurich, Switzerland, Monday, May 25, 2026. (Andreas Becker/Keystone via AP)
Matthew Tkachuk of the U.S., right, scores against Hungary's goaltender Adam Vay during the 2026 IIHF Men's Ice Hockey World Championship preliminary round group A game between United States and Hungary, in Zurich, Switzerland, Monday, May 25, 2026. (Andreas Becker/Keystone via AP)
