This month, Stewart led all rookies in rebounding and blocked shots at 9.3 boards and 1.7 blocks per game respectively.
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Prior to the game, Atlanta forward Elizabeth Williams was named the WNBA’s Most Improved Player.
Setting a defensive tone early will be key for the the Dream.
The Dream were dealt a big blow on Tuesday when the league announced that Tiffany Hayes would be suspended for Wednesday’s playoff game after picking up her seventh technical foul of the season in Sunday’s season finale against the Minnesota Lynx.
In order for the Dream to have a chance at beating Seattle, they will need significant offensive production from the first-year Dream player. The victor advances to the second round and will face either the New York Liberty or Chicago Sky on the road. In their two previous losses, they shot 76.9 and 52.6 percent from the line.
Atlanta and Seattle enter the postseason heading in opposite directions.
Seattle won two of three meetings overall with the Dream this season. In both of Seattle’s wins, these two combined for over 40 points – 53 points on June 28 and 46 on September 4. Bird had 17 points and nine assists, Loyd had 11 points, and Stewart finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Storm star rookie Breanna Stewart unsurprisingly acquitted herself well in her first playoff game, recording 19 points and seven rebounds in almost 38 minutes of action. Seattle faces Atlanta at 8 p.m. Wednesday in a win-or-go-home game that will be televised by ESPNews.
The game was played at Georgia Tech, where the Dream will play for the next two seasons.
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Second team: Bird, Fowles, Angel McCoughtry, Atlanta; Candace Parker, Los Angeles; Diana Taurasi, Phoenix.
