Lynx lose to Atlanta in final game before 18-day international break

The Lynx aren’t exactly heading into an 18-day FIBA World Cup break on a high note. After losing at home to the Valkyries on Monday, Minnesota went to Atlanta and fell 89-81 against the Dream on Sunday afternoon in their final game before the international break.

For the second straight game, the Lynx struggled a bit to put the ball in the basket. They shot just 43 percent from the field and 32 percent from three, with their six made threes tying their fourth-fewest total of the season. The Dream hit 13 shots from deep to help make up for their 18 turnovers.

Atlanta led basically wire to wire in this one. The Lynx’s only lead of the day was 2-0. The Dream led by five after the first quarter, by 11 at half, and by as many as 20 points in the third quarter. The Lynx cut their deficit to seven points but couldn’t get any closer.

Olivia Miles led the Lynx with 21 points but was held without an assist for only the second time all season. She surpassed Seimone Augustus for second on the WNBA all-time leaderboard in points during a rookie season (and secured the Lynx franchise record in that category). Miles hit her head while falling onto a cameraman late in the game but appeared to be OK and now has plenty of time to rest and recover.

THE SPECTACLE IS A BUCKET. 🥽 pic.twitter.com/z1DJEAR6m6

— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) August 30, 2026

Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride combined for 34 points but needed 31 shots to do it. Courtney Williams scored 11 points in her return from a one-game injury absence.

Allisha Gray led the Dream (26-14) with 23 points and 11 rebounds, hitting six threes. Angel Reese also had a double-double with 15 and 11. Jordin Canada had 16 points and 10 assists. Rhyne Howard chipped in 16 points as well.

This is just the second time all season that the Lynx (31-9) have lost consecutive games. Their magic number (of wins or Valkyries losses) to clinch the No. 1 seed is still two.

The Lynx’s next game isn’t until September 18, when they host the New York Liberty at Target Center. After playing the Sun on the road, the Lynx end their regular season with two games against the Indiana Fever (one on the road, then one at home).

Collier (USA), Dorka Juhasz (Hungary), Antonia Delaere (Belgium), Eliska Joklova (Czechia), and Chloe Bibby (Australia) are the Lynx players set to compete in Berlin during this year’s FIBA Women’s World Cup, which begins Sep. 4.

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This story was originally published by Bring Me The Sports on Aug 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Lynx section. Add Bring Me The Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.