It’s Minnesota Lynx vs Atlanta Dream. The best team in the league going up against the joint-second-best team in the league. The Lynx are missing the services of Napheesa Collier, who is still nursing an ankle injury, but that hasn’t stopped Cheryl Reeve’s side from winning. They have won 4 of their last 5 games, which included 2 wins against the defending champions, New York Liberty.

The Atlanta Dream are in fantastic form as well, winning 7 of their last 9 games and staking their claim as serious championship contenders. While starting point guard Jordin Canada remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, the return of Rhyne Howard has been a huge boost. Since coming back, she’s racked up 83 points and dished out 22 assists.

This game feels more like a playoff battle than a regular-season matchup. Neither team wants to lose, especially the Dream. With just one win separating the teams from 2nd to 5th place, a win here could really help them lock up the 2nd spot in the standings. This preview will give you all the information you need before the game.

Minnesota Lynx vs Atlanta Dream: Where to watch

Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Gateway Center Arena, College Park, Georgia
Watch on: Peachtree TV and FDSN
Streaming: Fubo, Paramount+, and ESPN+.

Minnesota Lynx vs Atlanta Dream: Injury Report

Minnesota Lynx

• Napheesa Collier- Questionable

Atlanta Dream

• Jordin Canada- Out

Probable Starting 5

Minnesota Lynx

• Jessica Shepard
• Bridget Carleton
• Alanna Smith
• Kayla McBride
• Courtney Williams

Atlanta Dream

• Brionna Jones
• Naz Hillmon
• Allisha Gray
• Maya Caldwell
• Rhyne Howard

Prediction: Can the Atlanta Dream Hold Onto Their Second Spot?

The Atlanta Dream currently share the same record as the New York Liberty with a .629 winning percentage. That makes this top-of-the-table clash against the Lynx even more crucial – they could gain some much-needed breathing room with a win. But the question is, will they be able to pull it off?

To make matters trickier for the Lynx, Napheesa Collier has been upgraded to questionable for the first time since injuring her ankle against the Aces on August 2. It’s unclear if she’ll play, but if she does, having the MVP favorite back would be a huge boost for Minnesota.

On the other side, the Dream have their own MVP candidate in Allisha Gray. The last time these two teams met, Brittney Griner and Gray combined for 34 points, leading the Dream to a hard-fought 90-86 win. But things have changed since then. In her last three games, Griner has been coming off the bench as the team manages her recovery from a neck injury that sidelined her for three games. So, the big question remains: can the Dream overcome the Lynx juggernaut?

Well, the numbers slightly favor the Lynx. They score 3.3 points more per game than the Dream and hold a slight edge defensively, conceding 1.5 points fewer per game. Naturally, ESPN gives the Lynx a 54% chance of taking the win, even factoring in that Atlanta boasts a 10-5 home record this season.

If we had to pick a winner, we would also go with the Minnesota Lynx, as there’s a high chance we’ll finally get to watch Napheesa Collier back in action after missing almost 3 weeks of games. Who are you supporting in this top-of-the-table clash? Let us know in the comments down below!