Five days ago, Angel McCoughtry solemnly sat in the Dream locker room after Brittney Griner’s near-triple-double led to an Atlanta loss. Before the week was over, McCoughtry was all smiles with a new career accomplishment.
McCoughtry recorded the sixth triple-double in WNBA history with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in Atlanta’s overtime victory against Dallas. The performance was key for the Dream, as McCoughtry’s play in the waning minutes of regulation and overtime proved to be the difference.
As much success as McCoughtry has had over the years, Friday’s achievement was the first of its kind.
“It was pretty cool, my first one ever at 30,” McCoughtry said. “I guess it was a long time coming.”
Although the feat was a rare one for McCoughtry, her leading the Dream is nothing new. The veteran has recorded double-digit points in 18 of the team’s 19 games in 2016. The team often comes and goes with her performance; A good game from McCoughtry often means Atlanta is on the cusp of victory.
“It helps to have a superstar, and Angel McCoughtry is nothing less than that,” Dream coach Michael Cooper said.
McCoughtry helped Atlanta overcome a sluggish third quarter to even out with Dallas in the fourth quarter and pull away in overtime. After the team blew an 18-lead, McCoughtry was the catalyst to the Dream’s offense with drives to the basket and jump shots. She gave the team the lead for good with 2:06 left in overtime.
She said she took it upon herself in the fourth quarter to make the difference for the Dream.
You might even say she was possessed.
“I just had to put my game face on,” McCoughtry said. “I was like, ‘You know what? We’re not losing this game in front of our fans. I actually yelled at one of my teammates, ‘Give me the (expletive) ball,’ and I don’t even curse.”
The back-and-forth nature of Friday’s victory was a thrilling one for the fans in attendance. And even though McCoughtry did something for the first time in the matchup, it still may have been a bit too much.
“It was crazy,” McCoughtry said. “I’m getting too old for this.”
