"Why Atlanta's High Screen Defense FAILED vs Lynx | Hailey Van Lith Waived"

Follow me: Twitter: https://x.com/alknowsstuff Atlanta Dream Defense Breakdown vs. Minnesota Lynx | Lynx 96-81 Dream (May 27, 2026) | WNBA 2026 espn.com The Atlanta Dream — owners of the league's top-rated defense early in the season — got exposed in Minneapolis as the Lynx rolled to a 96-81 revenge win after dropping the season opener to Atlanta. Courtney Williams dropped 25 & 7 assists, Natasha Howard added 22 & 8 rebounds, and Minnesota shot a blistering 60% from the field with season-high 26 assists. espn.com Defensive Focus: High Over Screens vs. Going Underneath One big thing that stood out: Atlanta was playing high over the ball screens (hedging or going over the top) way too often. This let the Lynx guards and bigs get downhill momentum, create space for kick-outs, and exploit gaps with their elite ball movement. Minnesota feasted in pick-and-roll/pop situations, especially early, building a big lead. dream. Going underneath those screens more aggressively could have helped Atlanta force the Lynx into tougher mid-range or contested shots, especially against a hot-shooting team like this. High hedges work when your rotations are perfect and help defense is elite, but against Minnesota's pace and shooters, it opened driving lanes and left the Dream scrambling. Classic adjustment needed for the next matchup.Allisha Gray led Atlanta with 21 points (5 threes), but the Dream couldn't slow down the Lynx attack and fell to their first road loss. espn.com Bonus WNBA News \ Hailey Van Lith (former TCU star) was recently waived by the Connecticut Sun. She had been claimed off waivers from the Chicago Sky earlier in May and saw some action, but the Sun made the move (possibly to bring back another player). She's now back on waivers — sharp shooter who could help a contender or rebuilding squad. @YahooSports If you're a Dream fan or hoops nerd, drop your thoughts below: Should Atlanta switch up their ball-screen defense more? Who should claim Van Lith next? Like | Subscribe | Turn on notifications for more WNBA breakdowns, film study, and hot takes! #WNBA #AtlantaDream #MinnesotaLynx #HaileyVanLith #BasketballBreakdown