Beyond the buzzer: game recaps & stats

Welcome to Creign's Court-Side Dream, your go-to for in-depth women's basketball game recaps and crucial stats. We dive into the heart of the action, celebrating every win and learning from every challenge. Join us as we relive the moments that matter and cheer on our favorite players, from the WNBA to the Unrivaled league!

FIBA WORLD CUP GAME 2, BERLIN, GERMANY

Sep 6, 2026 4:33 PM

Happy Sunday, and welcome back to another update on Team USA in the FIBA tournament. I have been closely following it since it started on Friday, September 4th. It is very interesting to see the different coaching styles and lineups in each matchup thus far. It is always a pleasure to see some of the league's best take on talent from other sides of the world today; let’s congratulate the ladies of Team USA on their 55-52 win over Italy.Although Team USA did not perform at the level fans hoped, we still pulled off the win today. Struggling significantly with our shooting, Jackie Young led the team with 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. Paige Bueckers wasn’t far behind with 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists; Breanna Stewart excelled with 11 rebounds. Rhyne Howard recorded 1 block and scored 2 points for the team. Angel Reese contributed 8 points and 2 blocks to her tally as well.Cecilia Zandalasini for Team Italy scored 14 points and had 7 rebounds; teammate Mariella Santucci added 9 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist to that total. However, the team still came up short, closing out the match with a failed 3-point attempt from Golden State's Zandalasini. I’m anxious to see what Team USA does in the next matchup with Czechia on Monday the 7th at 1:45. Will Team USA dominate on the court to gain the title of champion? Stay tuned; you don’t want to miss the action unfold. You can watch the tournament on TNT and HBO Max with a subscription.

FIBA WORLD CUP GAME 1 BERLIN, GERMANY

Sep 4, 2026 12:13 PM

Welcome back during the break for the final stretch in the WNBA season. We have taken a trip to Berlin, Germany, to enjoy a game between the USA and China for todays match up. Team USA's starting lineup consisted of Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Breanna Stewart, and Jackie Young. In Game 1, we already saw what our ladies can do in the paint to win. Team USA defeated China 94 to 61 in the event opener, an astounding 33-point win. Some of the top performers include Caitlin Clark scoring 14 and dishing out 11 assists to her teammates, making her the first USA player to score a high double-digit assist total since South Carolina's Head Coach Dawn Staley in 1998 with a whopping 12 assists; Rhyne Howard also had 14 points, along with Paige Bueckers adding her 14 points to the board in the second half alone. All 12 players for Team USA were able to contribute points to the board before the final buzzer. Team USA had a total of 12 3- points in which Clark, Howard, and Bueckers are responsible for eight of those combined.

Season Opener Atlanta Dream VS Las Vegas Aces

Welcome back. The 2026 season is in full swing, with the Dream facing the Aces in a sold-out State Farm Arena. Fans eagerly anticipated whether the Dream could overcome the defending champions. The Dream's lineup featured fan favorites Allisha Gray, Naz Hillmon, Jordin Canada, Angel Reese, and Te-hina Paopao, who replaced Rhyne Howard due to concussion protocol. Te-hina Paopao showcased her skills today with four 3-pointers, totaling nineteen points. Jordin Canada led the team in steals, with seven, and scored eleven points, continuously shining as the floor general.

Allisha Gray finished strong with 25 points, nine rebounds, one block, and one assist, despite obstacles such as missed 3-pointer opportunities and two turnovers. Naz Hillmon added six points and five rebounds. Angel Reese faced eight turnovers but contributed nine points and eight rebounds. Despite these struggles, the Dream narrowed a nineteen-point deficit through effective ball movement in the fourth quarter, ending in a one-point loss. Their passionate play was undermined by fouls, turnovers, and missed opportunities, including necessary three-point attempts.

This may only be the start of the 2026 season, but it is my belief that Atlanta will stop at nothing to gain the title of champion. Don't be so quick to count the Dream out yet, as we continue our fight to gain a position for the top spot.

Atlanta Dream Preseason Recap

Welcome back as the WNBA gears up for the new 2026 season, officially starting May 8th. However, if you have the opportunity to catch any of the preseason games, please tune in. They will not disappoint. I had the chance to catch the Atlanta Dream vs. Chicago Sky, with the much-anticipated return of Angel Reese in Chicago, backed by her new team the Atlanta Dream on the court. Although four of the five starting players did not play many minutes, the effort to secure the first preseason win was fascinating. Angel Reese played 13 minutes, scoring 8 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and dishing 2 assists, and managed 3 steals in that short time, which is very impressive.

Rhyne Howard played 12 minutes scoring 9 points which were all 3 point shots by the way, had 2 assist, and 1 steal. While Allisha Gray played 10, she scored 5 points. Unfortunately, she fell short with 3-point shots, only landing 1 out of 4 attempts. Jordin Canada was also in the game a short time of 11 minutes scoring 2 points, getting 1 rebounds, and 4 assist. While many fans anticipated seeing the starting 5 play the entire game, the rookies on the squad also showcased their talent. Madina Okot played 23 minutes, obtaining 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 assist.

Take a moment to acknowledge Te-Hina Paopao coming off the bench, showing us why she is a fan favorite as she prepares to have a successful second year in the league. Paopao had an amazing game, playing 24 minutes, scoring 13 points, dishing 4 assists, grabbing 3 rebounds, and making 3 of 4 3-point shots; she also made 5 of 7 field goals. While I'm definitely rooting for my Dream, I would be biased if I didn't take a moment to recognize the player of the night for the Chicago Sky, Sydney Taylor. The newbie is off to a great start, mastering the ability to score 23 points, 1 rebound, and 1 block. I believe she will be a player to watch this season if she continues to prove she belongs in the league.

I look forward to seeing many of the games in the 2026 season as the teams continue to make final decisions about who stays and who does not. This season will be intense as each team battles for the number 1 spot and that is to be the champion. Some will advance quickly while others will have to fight a little harder to make it to the next level. Prepare to see action, entertainment, and moments that will shake you to the core as you watch your favorite players take to the court each week. Who will make it to the very end? What will it take for your team to make it to the finals? Who will be the champion for the 2026 season?

Buckle up ladies and gentlemen as the ladies of the W take us for a ride we will not want to forget.

GO DREAM!

USA vs. Puerto Rico: a gritty victory

Yesterday's USA-PR FIBA game on Thursday, March 12, 2026, was a true test of grit and determination. While the 91-48 victory for Team USA might look comfortable on paper, the game was far from easy. Physicality defined the match, with several missed calls adding to the intensity. Our Team USA battled through significant challenges, particularly with ball possession, tallying as many as ten turnovers in the first half alone. It was a struggle to maintain control and land much-needed shots. Despite these hurdles, our team secured the win.

Going into the third game, we hope Team USA stays grounded, remains focused, and improves ball movement to minimize turnovers. We're eager to see Rhyne Howard and Chelsea Gray dominate on the court more, taking the powerful shots fans know they are capable of landing. We'll be tuning in for the final series to continue our support!

Key performers: making every point count

While the team faced challenges, individual brilliance shone through. Our key performers of the night demonstrated incredible skill and perseverance. Kelsey Plum led the charge with an impressive 12 points, showcasing her scoring ability. Paige was right behind her, adding a significant 16 points to the scoreboard. KiKi Iriafen contributed a solid 10 points, and Angel Reese was a force to be reckoned with, securing 10 points and an outstanding 13 rebounds. Not to be overlooked, Atlanta's very own Rhyne Howard landed a crucial 3-pointer, adding 5 points to her tally.

Join the dream: your support makes a difference

At Creign's Court-Side Dream, we want you, our incredible fans, to feel vigilant and continue to cheer these amazing athletes to victory! Every game is a story, and every point is a moment to celebrate. We're dedicated to bringing you the insights and excitement that keep your passion for women's basketball alive.

Though we may not catch every game, our commitment to supporting the journey remains strong, and we'll be back for the final series to witness history unfold. Follow us for more analyses, predictions, and to join a community that celebrates women's basketball!