Connecticut Sun vs Atlanta Dream Picks and Prediction for Thursday, September 17, 2026

The Connecticut Sun visit the Atlanta Dream on Thursday at Gateway Center in College Park, with the opening tipoff at 7:30 PM ET and televised on WNBA League Pass. This is the first game back for both teams following the Women’s FIBA World Cup, won by the United States, and each team has four regular-season games remaining. The eight playoff teams are already set, so postseason seeding is the focus over the final four games. Atlanta is 26-14 and fourth overall, tied with fifth-place Indiana. Connecticut is 10-30, 14th overall and eliminated from postseason contention. The Sun lost 97-71 to Dallas before the break, while Atlanta beat Minnesota 89-81. Check out our free WNBA picks.

Connecticut Sun Trying to End a Three-Game Slide

Connecticut returns from the break on a three-game losing streak and has gone 3-7 over its last 10 games. The Sun average 79.0 points while allowing 87.8, leaving them with an 8.9-point average scoring deficit. Connecticut shoots 42.3% from the field and 29.2% from three-point range while averaging 32.5 rebounds and 19.0 assists. Diamond Miller averages 9.6 points, while Charlisse Leger-Walker has produced 7.2 points and a team-high 3.7 assists.

Connecticut will have a thin frontcourt with Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Brittney Griner and Rayah Marshall unavailable. Aaliyah Edwards averages 11.1 points and 4.4 rebounds while shooting 53.8% from the field. Saniya Rivers adds 7.1 points, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals. The Sun average 8.1 steals and 4.5 blocks, but opponents have shot 46.8% from the field. Connecticut has also been outrebounded on average, 33.7 to 32.5.

Injuries: Kennedy Burke (out), Olivia Nelson-Ododa (out), Brittney Griner (out), Leila Lacan (out). 

Atlanta Dream Fighting for a Higher Playoff Seed

Atlanta resumes the season fourth overall at 26-14, with four games left to improve its postseason seed. The Dream went 7-3 over their last 10 games before the break and won four of their final five, including an 89-81 victory over Minnesota. Atlanta averages 90.8 points while allowing 85.7, producing a positive scoring differential of 5.1 points. The Dream also average 35.6 rebounds, 21.1 assists and 9.0 steals per game.

Allisha Gray leads Atlanta with 19.3 points per game while shooting 46.1% from the field. Rhyne Howard averages 18.3 points, 3.6 assists and 2.3 steals, while Angel Reese has recorded 16.1 points and 12.4 rebounds per game. Jordin Canada adds 11.6 points and 7.4 assists. Reese averages 5.1 offensive rebounds, which could be especially valuable against Connecticut’s depleted frontcourt. Atlanta has already beaten the Sun twice this season by scores of 91-75 and 104-69.

Injuries: Brionna Jones (out). 

Connecticut Sun vs Atlanta Dream Key Player Matchup

Allisha Gray and Aaliyah Edwards are two important scoring options in this matchup. Gray averages 19.3 points while shooting 46.1% from the field and 79.4% at the free-throw line. Edwards averages 11.1 points on 53.8% shooting and also contributes 4.4 rebounds. Connecticut’s frontcourt absences increase Edwards’ importance around the basket. Atlanta has more established scoring around Gray, including Howard and Reese, so Connecticut needs Edwards to produce consistently while helping the Sun compete on the glass.

Connecticut Sun vs Atlanta Dream Game Pick

• Atlanta Dream -14.5 (-110)

Atlanta -14.5 is the pick, with the Dream still competing for a higher postseason seed and Connecticut already eliminated. Atlanta won both earlier meetings, 91-75 at home and 104-69 on the road, covering this number in each matchup. The Dream average 90.8 points compared with Connecticut’s 79.0 and own a clear advantage on the glass. Connecticut’s frontcourt absences make the matchup even more difficult. Gray, Howard, Reese and Canada offer Atlanta enough scoring options to build another sizable margin at Gateway Center.

Connecticut Sun vs Atlanta Dream Over/Under Pick

• Under 169.5 (-110)

Under 169.5 is the pick with Connecticut averaging only 79.0 points and returning with several important players unavailable. The Sun scored 71, 91 and 64 points during their three-game losing streak before the World Cup break, and Atlanta held Connecticut to 75 and 69 points in their first two meetings. Atlanta can produce a strong offensive night, but Connecticut may struggle to contribute enough scoring for this matchup to clear the number. A result similar to the first meeting would finish comfortably under 169.5.