COLLEGE PARK, Ga. (AP) — Rhyne Howard had 26 points and five steals, Angel Reese added 13 points and 12 rebounds in her first career playoff game, and the Atlanta Dream beat the Washington Mystics 92-77 Sunday night in Game 1 of their first-round series.
Game 2 of the series is Wednesday in Washington.
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Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron, left, looks to pass against Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada, right, during the first half in Game 1 of an WNBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) shoots against Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron (22) during the first half in Game 1 of an WNBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Washington Mystics guard Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, left, fights for the ball with Atlanta Dream forward DeWanna Bonner, right, during the first half in Game 1 of an WNBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada (3) goes up to shoot against Washington Mystics guard Georgia Amoore, right, during the first half in Game 1 of an WNBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) and Washington Mystics center Lauren Betts, right, react during the first half in Game 1 of an WNBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
The No. 5 seed Mystics committed 22 turnovers which Atlanta converted into 27 points. The Dream, who rallied from an 11-point deficit, set the franchise's playoff record with 16 steals, two shy on the WNBA mark of 18 held by Indiana from 2009.
“I think we were just playing with a lot of nerves,” Dream forward DeWanna Bonner said of Atlanta’s slow start.
“I think the second half, Karl (Smesko, Atlanta’s head coach) settled us down.”
Allisha Gray scored 22 points and Jordin Canada had 10 points and 11 assists for the fourth-seeded Dream.
Howard was 7-of-18 shooting but hit 10 of 10 from the free-throw line and Reese made just 4 of 15 from the field.
Sonia Citron led the Mystics with 25 points. Kiki Iriafen had 15 points and 14 rebounds — nine on the offensive end — and Shakira Austin added 12 points and 16 rebounds.
Canada made a layup that trimmed Atlanta's deficit to 41-36 at halftime and Gray capped a 7-0 spurt to open the third with a 3-pointer that gave the Dream their first lead since the opening minute. Bonner scored 11 of her 13 points in 18-5 run that made it 61-48 with 2:29 left until the fourth and the Mystics trailed by at least seven the rest of the way.
“In the first half we did a good job of just making everything hard for them and then in that third quarter we just let some of our discipline slip,” Citron said.
Howard made a 3-pointer that opened the scoring 22 seconds into the game but Iriafen scored four points and Georgia Amoore hit from behind the arc as Washington answered with an 8-0 run.
“This is just round one,” Smesko said. “We feel good about how we set the tone for the first game, but there is a lot more work to be done and I think everyone in our locker room is aware of that.”
The Mystics are making their first playoff appearance since 2023 and are looking to win a postseason game for the first time since 2019, when they won the WNBA championship.
“Playoffs are the biggest stage,” Iriafen said. “This is the stage we want to be on.
“It was our first time being here, not that that's an excuse, but now we know what it looks like. We have a taste for it. We'll be better prepared for our game on Wednesday.”
See AP’s full WNBA coverage here
Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron, left, looks to pass against Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada, right, during the first half in Game 1 of an WNBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) shoots against Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron (22) during the first half in Game 1 of an WNBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Washington Mystics guard Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, left, fights for the ball with Atlanta Dream forward DeWanna Bonner, right, during the first half in Game 1 of an WNBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada (3) goes up to shoot against Washington Mystics guard Georgia Amoore, right, during the first half in Game 1 of an WNBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) and Washington Mystics center Lauren Betts, right, react during the first half in Game 1 of an WNBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift broke records at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, as she is known to do.
The pop powerhouse received the inaugural Artist Director Honors on Sunday night, becoming the most-awarded artist in VMA history.
Previously, she was tied with Beyoncé for the title, with 30 VMAs each. The new award is meant to recognize artists “whose work behind the camera has expanded the possibilities of music video and advanced the art of visual storytelling."
“I got to start making music videos and being a part of music videos 20 years ago,” Swift said in her speech, adding that she's been involved in making roughly 60 music videos, 18 of which she wrote and directed.
“You, the fans, make it so much fun,” she said.
She also took home the top prize of the night — video of the year — for “The Fate of Ophelia."
Swift dedicated that award to the “ultimate showgirl,” the late Dolly Parton.
“I think we were all very lucky to share this planet with Dolly Parton for a time," Swift said.
Swift also debuted the music video for her new song, “Patient Zero,” during the award show. She directed the visual, which stars Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson. Johnson and Swift portray mirror images of each other.
“Patient Zero” is also her first single since marrying Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden in July.
The two-hour show was broadcast live on CBS from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
“It's mother," were the first words uttered by Madonna as she opened the VMAs with her 2026 single “Bring Your Love" alongside collaborator Sabrina Carpenter. Later in the night, the pair won the award for best collaboration for the song.
“It’s been a while since I did one of these things,” Madonna joked. “So, I’ve prepared nothing.”
When it came time for her return to the stage to accept the award for artist of the year, Madonna began with, “First of all, I would like to thank my fingers because I can always count on them.” And when she did so a third time for best dance, she said simply, "I came alive on the dance floor. ... We’re all equal on the dance floor.”
If her aim was to bring the dance floor to the award show stage, Madonna did exactly that in her opening number — and then some, when Charli xcx emerged from a club bathroom to perform their reworked version of “Danceteria.” Around them? A trove of dancers and various famous friends, including actor Debi Mazar, Sombr and Julia Garner.
The show, which was delayed 20 minutes by a tight NFL game, wasted no time getting heart rates up.
Snoop Dogg, a 13-time VMAs nominee and three-time winner, emerged as host shortly thereafter.
“Now that is an icon,” Dogg said of Madonna, before pivoting to a joke: “She ain't a virgin no more.”
Then Teyana Taylor presented the first award for best pop to LISA for “Dream” feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi.
“Thank you MTV for this amazing award,” she said while holding back tears. “All those late-night dreams brought me here today.” It was a different scene about an hour later, when she returned to the stage for her hip-hop heavy hitter “Sawadika,” which loosely translates to “Hello” in her native Thai.
There was always going to be a big musical moment for Dolly Parton. Kacey Musgraves paid homage to the late, great country music icon with a cover of Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.”
Parton, whose soaring vibrato vocals, poignant songwriting and sparkling costumes defined her rise from a log cabin in the Tennessee mountains to the height of stardom and acclaim, died in Nashville of cancer in August. She was 80.
Performances arrived fast and furious: Raye delivered a medley of her throwback soul, starting with “I Will Overcome” into “Where Is My Husband!”
Bruno Mars slowed things down with “Dance With Me.” Shaboozey launched into his saloon single “Cowgirl,” before being joined by Gunna for some hybrid country-rap with their crossover track, “High Noon.”
“Survivor” host Jeff Probst and actor Brandon Sklenar introduced the final performance of the night and arguably its best – a partial reenactment of GENER8ION with Yung Lean’s “STORM” music video – which began with Lean smashing a VMA ‘Moon person’ trophy.
Sienna Spiro belted out her “Great Expectation.” It was a welcome introduction to the new talent, who was named best new artist shortly thereafter.
Orville Peck introduced a tribute to George Michael, who died 10 years ago on Christmas Day. He was 53.
If this year's VMAs felt too pop-heavy for some viewers, that was interrupted by the coveted Video Vanguard Award being awarded to Nirvana.
“They were completely original and always fearless at a time when the status quo kind of got to the point of being formulaic,” Public Enemy rapper Chuck D said of the grunge greats.
The award was presented to surviving members Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl and Pat Smear. Their frontman Kurt Cobain died in 1994.
“Kurt was one of one,” Novoselic said in their acceptance speech, adding that the band never imagined its sound and aesthetic would resonate with so many people. He said the music continues to endure because people are still hungry for “something real, something uncompromising” and a message that “it’s just OK to come as you are.”
For more coverage of this year’s MTV Video Music Awards, visit https://apnews.com/hub/mtv-video-music-awards
Troye Sivan, left, and Charli xcx present the award for best dance during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Yung Lean performs "Storm II" during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Lisa accepts the award for best pop for "Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi" during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) CORRECTION: Corrects name to Kentaro, instead of Kentara
Taylor Swift accepts the MTV VMA Artist Director Honors award during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
David Grohl, from left, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear of Nirvana accept the video vanguard award during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Shaboozey performs during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
RAYE, center, performs "Where is my husband!!" during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
LISA arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Teyana Taylor presents the award for best pop during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Lisa accepts the award for best pop for "Dream feat. Kentara Sakaguchi" during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Sombr arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
PinkPantheress arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Charli xcx arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Adam Lambert arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Madonna appears at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala in New York on May 5, 2025, left, and Taylor Swift appears at the MTV Video Music Awards in Elmont, N.Y., on Sept. 11, 2024. (Photos by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
FILE - A statue of the MTV Moon Man appears on the red carpet at the MTV Video Music Awards on Aug. 20, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)
