Allisha Gray played through a black eye as Dream fans wore goggles in her honor during Atlanta's 107-95 win over Toronto.
Allisha Gray played through a black eye Monday night. Most of Gateway Center Arena came prepared for it. Fans wore goggles as the Atlanta Dream beat the Toronto Tempo 107-95, and Dream coach Karl Smesko joined in with a pair pushed up on his head. Smesko also coached in a Gray T-shirt.
Gray finished with 15 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, and a block in 32 minutes. She shot 5-of-8 from the field and made all 4 of her free throws. Eight of Gray's points came in the first quarter. Four of her assists came in the fourth.
Gray said the black eye was not going to keep her from playing.
"Oh, it's good. I'm a warrior," Gray said. "I play hard every night. I give my all for this team every night. So one black eye won't stop me. I mean, I love this team. I go to war for them every night."
A message from Atlanta rapper T.I. also caught Gray by surprise during the night.
Smesko Joins Goggles Night
Smesko said his players have made a habit of picking out things for him to wear. He has gone along with everything so far.
"No. But, like, I mean, I guess I would wear Iron Maiden shirts," Smesko said. "So I'm very comfortable in a T-shirt. But I just want to show support for Lish. She's just been so great to work with for these two years.
"Her energy, her wanting to listen and buy into things right from the very start, I think it's just made this transition for me a lot easier, just having her around," Smesko continued. "And she's been such a remarkable player these last two years. And I don't know, I never would have thought I'd have sunglasses on my head coaching a game and stuff like that. But anything for Lish. We think the world of her."
Monday was Smesko's 50th career win with Atlanta. He is in his second season with the Dream after coming to the WNBA from Florida Gulf Coast. Atlanta went 30-14 in his first season and finished third in the standings. Smesko was second in Coach of the Year voting.
He said Gray was one of the veterans who immediately bought into what he was trying to install when he arrived.
"Well, I think they know that whatever I put on, they know that I support them, and if they're going through a tough time, I believe in them," Smesko said. "So this is just an outward expression of that. Yeah, I'm willing to put on the glasses. I want to get involved just like everybody else here, because we all care about each other and we all want to celebrate each other's success. So I'm all in on all that stuff now.
"I'm not saying there's not a limit somewhere," Smesko added. "Like there may be, there may be something. But everything so far, I'm on board with."
Gray Wants to Finish Career in Atlanta
Gray is averaging 18.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists this season. She made the AP All-WNBA First Team last year and has been selected as an All-Star in each of the past three seasons.
Atlanta used its core designation on Gray during the offseason before signing her to a three-year extension worth $3.7 million. The Dream announced Gray's extension on April 11 alongside new contracts for Brionna Jones, Jordin Canada, Naz Hillmon, and Rhyne Howard. Atlanta had acquired Angel Reese days earlier.
Gray said the support she continues to receive in Atlanta was part of why she had no hesitation about staying.
"It makes me feel amazing. I'm loved here in Atlanta," Gray said. "This organization has made me feel so well about myself. That's why when it was time to extend and re-sign, it was no hesitation for me. This is a place I definitely want to retire, finish my career playing on the Dream.'
"But the support is so amazing," Gray continued. "And the little kids really make me feel good, because no matter how I play — I can have an on night, off night — they don't see all that. They see me as the person, and they make me feel good regardless of the game that I have."
Atlanta had six players score in double figures against Toronto. Howard led the Dream with 22 points, while Reese and Canada each scored 20. Jones matched Gray with 15, and Hillmon had 11. Canada, Gray, Howard, Hillmon, and Reese started together Monday. Atlanta is 20-8 with that group in the starting lineup.
The win completed Atlanta's season sweep of expansion Toronto. The Dream are 4-0 against the Tempo and 2-0 against them at home.
Atlanta visits Connecticut on Thursday.
