Career night a Dream for bucket-getter Borlase

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The WNBA is starting to know just who Australian Opals young gun Isobel Borlase is.

Borlase, 21, had a career-night in her rookie season for the Atlanta Dream and couldn't have done it in a better game as she scored 17 points in just 18 minutes to spark her team to a 25-point victory over Opals coach Sandy Brondello's Toronto Tempo.

The performance showed why the South Australian product, who had a slow start to her WNBA career in the first 11 games, was the WNBL26 MVP with the Bendigo Spirit last season.

"I think things just take time in the WNBA, particularly when you're new and in a new team," Borlase said in the post-game press conference.

"I'm getting a little bit more opportunity, but just trying to make the most of it as well and Leish and Rye have been carrying a bit of a load and everyone's trying to help them out. So, we're doing whatever we can to contribute to that."

Borlase, who was part of Australia's bronze medal win at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, said the aim was to continue to provide a spark off the bench for Atlanta.

"Just continuing to do the same thing, like I said before, us girls coming off the bench, I'm trying to provide that x-factor for the team and not expecting myself to do that every night, but just preparing in a way that I feel like I can help the team," she said.

"I think it's just reps.

"Practicing and that gives you confidence. If you see the ball go through the ring a specific amount of times during practise, it makes you feel confident.

"During the game and I guess what I said before, it's just taking a bit of time to adjust to the speed of the game. You've got to get your shot off a bit faster, you don't have as much time.

"So I've just tried to be kind to myself and allow the game to come to me. Like Leash said, you can't be too hard on yourself.

"Tonight they fell in and hopefully they continue to do that."

MATCH REPORT

The Atlanta Dream produced a dominant 102–77 victory against the Toronto Tempo, fuelled by an explosive second-quarter surge and a masterful backcourt display from Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard in this WNBA Commissioner's Cup clash.

Game Snapshot

• Quarter scores: Atlanta 13–25, 34–14, 23–20, 32–18
• Atlanta shooting: 44% FG │ 39% 3PT │ 80% FT
• Toronto shooting: 43% FG │ 38% 3PT │ 75% FT
• Rebounds: Atlanta 44 │ Toronto 24
• Assists: Atlanta 22 │ Toronto 23

Tempo strike first before the roof caves in

Toronto opened the contest with purpose, racing to a 25–13 lead after the opening quarter behind early aggression from Isabelle Harrison and Brittney Sykes. The Tempo controlled tempo and tone, but the lead would not last.

Atlanta responded with a stunning 34-point second quarter, holding Toronto to a dismal 14 points to flip the game on its head and seize a 47–39 advantage at the main break.

Gray's stellar shooting shifts the contest

Allisha Gray delivered an outstanding performance, finishing with 26 points on 8-from-14 shooting, including 5-from-9 from deep, to go with seven assists and a +26 plus-minus. Her ability to score off the catch and create for others was central to Atlanta's second-quarter detonation.

Rhyne Howard matched her backcourt partner with 24 points on an efficient 9-from-18 from the field, adding six rebounds, two assists and three blocks across 38 minutes. The duo combined for 50 points and nine triples between them.

Reese cleans the glass in dominant double-double

Angel Reese was a force on the boards, collecting 17 rebounds, including 11 on the offensive end, while contributing 15 points and a block. Her relentless work around the basket gave Atlanta a staggering 30–19 advantage on the defensive glass and a 14-5 edge in second-chance opportunities through offensive boards.

Naz Hillmon chipped in nine points and six rebounds, while Jordin Canada orchestrated the offense with nine assists, five rebounds and three steals.

Borlase leads bench charge

Isobel Borlase provided a superb spark off the bench with 17 points on 5-from-6 shooting, 5-from-5 at the charity stripe, and three rebounds in 18 minutes. Her +22 was the second-best mark on the team, underlining her impact during Atlanta's pull-away stretches.

Te-Hina Paopao added six points on 2-from-5 from beyond the arc as Atlanta's reserves outscored their counterparts in efficient fashion.

Third-quarter cushion, fourth-quarter dagger

Atlanta maintained their grip through the third with a 23–20 quarter, then put the contest to bed with a 32-point final stanza. The Dream's ball movement (22 assists on 36 made field goals) and defensive pressure (eight steals, four blocks) overwhelmed a Toronto outfit that struggled with 15 turnovers.

Marina Mabrey laboured to a 2-from-11 shooting night for the Tempo, while Julie Allemand top-scored with 13 points, six assists and three triples. Maria Conde added 12 points and four assists off the bench, but Toronto could not match Atlanta's offensive firepower or rebounding ability.

By the Numbers

• Allisha Gray (ATL): 26 pts │ 3 reb │ 7 ast │ 8-from-14 FG │ 5-from-9 3PT
• Rhyne Howard (ATL): 24 pts │ 6 reb │ 2 ast │ 3 blk │ 9-from-18 FG
• Isobel Borlase (ATL): 17 pts │ 3 reb │ 5-from-6 FG │ 5-from-5 FT
• Angel Reese (ATL): 15 pts │ 17 reb │ 11 OREB │ 1 stl │ 1 blk
• Jordin Canada (ATL): 5 pts │ 5 reb │ 9 ast │ 3 stl
• Isabelle Harrison (TOR): 17 pts │ 3 reb │ 2 blk │ 6-from-11 FG
• Julie Allemand (TOR): 13 pts │ 6 ast │ 3-from-5 3PT
• Maria Conde (TOR): 12 pts │ 3 reb │ 4 ast
• Brittney Sykes (TOR): 11 pts │ 4 ast