Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko said Brittney Griner is "playing her best basketball of the year" after she scored 17 off the bench against the Connecticut Sun.

Rhyne Howard also chipped in 15 as the Dream notched an 88-72 victory over Connecticut on Wednesday, pushing Atlanta up to second place in the WNBA standings.

With a 30-14 record, Atlanta became only the sixth team ever to reach 30 regular-season wins in franchise history. The Dream can clinch the number two playoff seed if the Las Vegas Ace (29-14) fall to the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday.

Brionna Jones and Allisha Gray both finished with 13 points, and Nia Coffey added 10 for the Dream.

Howard, meanwhile, hit three of seven attempts from beyond the arc, becoming just the ninth player in league history with at least 100 made 3-pointers in a season.

Griner, who is also second on the WNBA's all-time blockers list, now has 2,525 career rebounds in her 12 WNBA seasons, firmly establishing herself among the league's best rebounders.

Great work tonight @brittneygriner!

BG has officially passed Swin Cash for 16th on the All-Time rebounds list with 2,522. #DoItForTheDream pic.twitter.com/i09IQy0dgs

— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) September 11, 2025

Smesko, who was named the head coach of the Dream less than a year ago, heaped praise on Griner.

"BG [Brittney Griner] is so well-respected, not just within our team, but throughout the whole WNBA. So, when she speaks, everyone listens," Smesko said.

"She has been doing a great job for us, coming off the bench and being a spark for us right away.

"The last couple of games, she has just been outstanding. She is playing her best basketball of the year, which is perfect timing.

"It was nice today. We could put her in and if we needed a basket we could go to her. She has been outstanding all year long as a leader.

With her first rebound against the Sun on Wednesday, Griner moved past Hall of Famer Swin Cash into 16th place on the WNBA's all-time rebounding list.

"You got to have all the focus on the playoffs, you are going to be on the road at times," Griner said. 

You are not going to get calls like you did in regular season, so you have to be able to play and stay focused.

"So, you have to be able to play and stay focused. When things go out of whack, it’s about pulling everyone together and having that one-track mind."