FifinATL 🌎❤️🇺🇸

After setting a WNBA Finals record with six steals in Game 2, Rhyne Howard has now become the first player in league history to record multiple games with at least five steals in the Finals. She wasn’t the league’s steals leader for nothing! ✨

Rhyne Howard vs Golden State: 16 PTS 5 STL 4 RBS 4 AST 1 BLK ✨

Jordin Canada vs Golden State: 13 PTS 10 AST 7 RBS Tied the WNBA record for the most points-and-assists double-doubles in a single postseason. ✨

Madina Okot was arguably Atlanta’s most effective player against the Golden State Valkyries during the regular season, yet she has barely been utilized by the Dream in the postseason. A hot take: Maybe she should replace Naz Hillmon in the starting lineup for Game 2? What worked in one playoff series won't necessarily work in another, and sometimes a matchup calls for a change in personnel. Hillmon, who averaged just (2.3) points against Golden State during the regular season, finished Game 1 with 5 points and 2 rebounds in 30 minutes. For perspective, Okot averaged (11.3) points and 3 rebounds in just 12 minutes against the Valkyries during the regular season. Starting Okot at center would allow Angel Reese to move to her natural power forward position while forcing Kiah Stokes to defend Okot. That could also benefit Reese, who shot 0-for-5 against Golden State’s centers in Game 1 compared to 3-for-4 against its forwards. Moving her to the four could create more favorable matchups and allow her to be more effective offensively. There’s also the rebounding factor. Golden State outrebounded Atlanta and scored four more second-chance points, the exact margin of victory. Now, do I expect Atlanta to make that change? No. And this isn't to suggest Hillmon should be removed from the rotation entirely. But playoff basketball is about making adjustments based on the opponent, not simply sticking with what worked in previous rounds. Even if Okot doesn't start, her success against Golden State during the regular season should be enough to warrant giving her meaningful minutes in this series. It's an option worth exploring, especially after a four-point loss.