Naz Hillmon’s heroics lift Dream past Wings in wild finish
Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com
Naz Hillmon knew she had to add a three-point shot to her game when the Dream hired head coach Karl Smesko ahead of the 2025 season. She welcomed the challenge and embraced the work it would take to meet it.
With the clock winding down, Te-Hina Paopao found Hillmon, who buried her season-high fifth three-pointer to silence the crowd and lift the Dream to an 88-85 win over the Wings on Wednesday at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.
Hillmon led Atlanta with 21 points, while four other Dream players scored in double figures. Allisha Gray added 15, Brionna Jones had 14, Maya Caldwell chipped in 13, and Paopao finished with 11 as the Dream shot 52.4% from the field.
The Wings led 66-65 early in the fourth before Hillmon drilled the first of three consecutive threes, sparking a surge that gave the Dream a 74-66 lead. But Dallas answered again. Arike Ogunbowale ended a long scoring drought with a jumper, fueling an 8-0 run capped by a three-point play from Paige Bueckers to tie the game at 74.
The final four minutes turned into a highlight reel. With the Dream trailing 83-81, Te-Hina Paopao came through with two clutch layups, one against Bueckers and another off a sharp cut to put the Dream up 85-83. Ogunbowale responded with a step-back jumper to tie it at 85 with 21.2 seconds left. But Hillmon had the final standout play of the contest, sealing the Dream’s win with the trey ball.
Before Wednesday’s game, Naz Hillmon’s career high for three-pointers was four, set in a July 7 win against the Golden State Valkyries. Now, shooting a career-best 35.2% from beyond the arc, Hillmon credits her growth to relentless work and the support of her teammates.
“Anytime I pass up an open three, they’re (coaches and players) like ‘you need to shoot (the three),’ and that just helps your confidence,” Hillmon said postgame. “But I do practice it a lot. Every single chance I get, I try to get up some extra shots because it’s not something that’s completely natural. I’m not just a natural shooter like (Allisha Gray) so I have to make sure I’m getting into the gym and getting my reps up.”
With the win, the Dream (16-11) took a 2-1 edge in the season series and snapped a four-game road skid against the Wings (8-20). It marked Atlanta’s first win in Dallas since May 7, 2022.
Leading 44-43 early in the third, the Dream lost Brittney Griner at the 9:02 mark after she was ejected for arguing a no-call on a missed putback attempt. Griner picked up two quick technical fouls after claiming Jones fouled her. As a result, Ogunbowale nailed the two technical free throws.
The Dream responded with a 12-4 run, capped by a Jones jumper and a Hillmon finish at the rim to build their largest lead of the quarter. But Dallas answered with a 13-2 surge, fueled by DiJonai Carrington, Li Yueru and Bueckers as the Wings scored 16 of their 24 points in the paint. The Wings took a 64-62 lead into the fourth quarter.
Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick in last April’s WNBA Draft, led the Wings with 21 points and seven assists. Luisa Geiselsöder added 13, while former Dream guard Haley Jones and Arike Ogunbowale each chipped in 12. Dallas finished the game shooting 50% from the field.
The Dream will return to action Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET at home against the Phoenix Mercury.
