What Happened to Allisha Gray? Dream Star Walks Off in Pain Amidst MVP Chants

If anyone has earned the tag of “underrated,” it’s Allisha Gray. The Dream star had only her third All-Star call-up this season, and it seemed she had finally received some recognition. “And I feel like my time is finally coming up. I’m ready to accept it,” Gray said during the All-Star weekend. And very rightly so. The guard is leading this Dream side like a woman on a mission, averaging a team high and career high 18.7 points along with 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals.

Gray is at her absolute best while marking down her name in Dream history. Friday night, she surpassed franchise legend Angel McCoughtry’s mark of 716 points in the first half to become the Dream’s all-time single-season leading scorer. However, Gray’s triumph was short-lived as fate swiftly dealt her a cruel blow when she was knocked out during a dangerous play.

With Dallas on the attack, Paige Bueckers made a backdoor pass to a cutting Diamond Miller, who had Gray guarding her. Not allowing an inch, the Dream guard forced a tough shot off Miller, which missed the mark. During a battle for the rebound soon after, Gray went to the ground, and before she could recover, the Wings’ forward went for another basket. In the process, Miller tripped over, ramming her knee very close to Gray’s eyes.

The guard stayed flat on the ground as the medical team rushed to the scene. The Dream sensation walked off with the packed Gateway Center chanting “MVP, MVP”. Fortunately for the Dream, in a game where they needed Gray the most, she did not stay out for long. The former Gamecock was back on the court for the second half, continuing on her rhythm from the first.

Rhyne Howard would have been the happiest person on the court after witnessing fans’ love for Gray. Following their Las Vegas game, she wasn’t very pleased with the MVP chats for A’ja Wilson with someone like Gray on their roster. “We rely on our fans, and when they pick and choose who they want to cheer for and come in and make it feel like an away game for us and a home game for the other team, it’s easy to go on a run like that,” Howard had said. “Especially with the playoffs coming up. You want to see Gamecocks, we have Gamecocks on our roster.”

Let’s not forget, Gray won a national title with the Gamecocks in her final season with Wilson on the team. She was only second in command as the now-3x MVP tore apart defenses with Gray watching her back. Despite Wilson’s brilliance, that win wouldn’t have been possible without Gray, and the Atlanta crowd seems to have gotten the message. The fans continued with their chants as Gray finished with 19 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds as they went past the Wings.

Allisha Gray and co. qualify for the playoffs after Dallas Wings win

The Atlanta Dream is quietly having its best season. With their win over the New York Liberty last Saturday, they established a new franchise record for wins in a single season, securing their 24th victory with 7 games still to go. More importantly, they are beating the bigwigs in the league. The Dream is the only team to take two victories off the league-leading Lynx. In addition to winning the season series over Minnesota 2-1, they split their series against the New York Liberty.

Atlanta even dominated the Mercury, sweeping all three games of the season series, including handing Phoenix their worst loss of the year with a crushing 23-point blowout to kick off August. Considering this, they were the favourites when they came up against a short-handed Dallas Wings, but they still had a game to win.

Howard led the way with 24 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds, as Gray backed her up with her MVP-like form. Te Hina Paopao had arguably her best game of the season with 14 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds while chipping in with 2 steals and a block. All while shooting 4-7 from the 3-point line. It was a proper team display with 4 players scoring in double digits. While the result was expected, this 100-78 win means an official qualification for the playoffs.

Karl Smesko will be looking to mark his debut season with the side by improving on their last two seasons, where they lost in the first round. Allisha Gray will continue her charge for the coveted MVP trophy while leading the Dream. While she is still behind Wilson, Napheesa Collier, and Allysa Thomas, things can change quickly.