Atlanta Dream point guard Jordin Canada called teammate Allisha Gray a defensive stopper after the Dream's 77-72 win over the Wings on Tuesday.
Atlanta Dream point guard Jordin Canada said teammate Allisha Gray is underrated as a defender following the Dream's 77-72 win over the Dallas Wings on Tuesday at College Park Center.
Gray led the Dream with 26 points on 9-of-20 shooting in the win. The Dream improved to 2-0 with the road victory at the Wings' home opener.
Canada was asked about Gray's defensive impact after the game.
"She's very athletic. She can literally guard one through five if the opportunity presents itself and she has to get a stop. So I think a lot of people sleep on her defensively. I think she does a lot of great things for us — you saw that tonight. I've always thought that Lish has been a defensive stopper. Anytime we need one, she's able to get the job done," Canada said.
Gray finished with 4 rebounds, 1 block, and 1 steal in 33 minutes against Dallas.
Canada also addressed Gray's shot-blocking specifically.
"Apparently she's not supposed to be blocking shots — she's supposed to be staying poised on the defensive end — and I think she's done a great job in that. I think she also does a great job of picking and choosing her moments when to block shots and not always going for the ball," Canada said.
Gray was selected fourth overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2017 WNBA Draft and won WNBA Rookie of the Year that season.
Gray spoke to the team's broader defensive identity in her own post-game comments.
"We're a defensive team and so we pride ourselves on the defensive end and trying to get stops," Gray said.
The Dream held the Wings to 13 points in the fourth quarter to come back from a 59-58 deficit. Atlanta outscored Dallas 19-13 in the final period.
Canada finished with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Angel Reese added 12 points and 16 rebounds for the Dream.
Arike Ogunbowale led the Wings with 20 points and Paige Bueckers added 15.
Atlanta next hosts the Las Vegas Aces.
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