Canada ignites the Dream, fueling a crucial win and solidifying their playoff contention. Her clutch baskets and defensive prowess return at a vital moment.
Jordin Canada returned to the Atlanta Dream lineup Monday night, giving the team a needed spark as they pulled away from the Connecticut Sun 93-76 to move into a tie with Las Vegas for second place in the WNBA standings.
Canada had missed the past eight games after suffering a right hamstring injury against Phoenix on Aug. 10. The 30-year-old guard came off the bench for the first time this season but looked sharp, scoring 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting in 20 minutes.
"I really didn't intend on playing her quite as much as we did, but she said she felt good," Dream coach Karl Smesko said. "And she was playing even better. So we kind of just rolled with her. She was fantastic, big basket after big basket. We all know what she's capable of doing on the defensive end, and she was outstanding today. It's really nice to have her back, because before she got hurt, she was playing at an All-Star level."
The Dream held only a one-point lead heading into the fourth quarter before Canada helped key a 26-10 surge that sealed the victory. For Canada, the return after more than two weeks on the sideline was about rhythm and trust in her body.
"Once I got comfortable, I carried on as normal," Canada said. "I was just trying to give myself grace with coming back and knowing it's going to take a little time, but I feel good out there now."
Canada, a two-time WNBA champion with the Seattle Storm, is averaging 12.1 points and a team-high 5.5 assists this season. She has also been recognized twice on the WNBA All-Defensive First-Team, in 2019 and 2023.
Her return comes at a crucial moment for Atlanta (26-14), which is chasing the No. 2 seed in the playoffs behind Minnesota. The Dream and the Aces are tied in the standings, though Las Vegas holds the tiebreaker after winning the season series 3-0.
"Trying to make sure in these types of games in the regular season, we're doing what we need to," Canada said. "That way when we get into the playoffs, it doesn't hit us by surprise and we're ready for the moment."
Atlanta has managed well in her absence, going 6-2 without her and already securing a playoff berth. Still, the Dream knows Canada’s playmaking and defense will be vital when the postseason begins.
Alongside her return, Atlanta has seen other players regain form late in the season. Rhyne Howard rejoined the lineup on Aug. 10 after a knee injury, while Brittney Griner has embraced a new role coming off the bench following a neck issue. Rookie Taylor Thierry remains sidelined with an ankle injury, but the Dream are otherwise nearing full strength with four games left in the regular season.
For Canada, Monday marked not just a return to the floor but a reminder of her importance to Atlanta’s hopes of making a deep playoff run.