The Atlanta Dream just can’t catch a break this season. Already dealing with a shortened rotation, the team has been hit hard by injuries to two of its key players, Te-Hina Paopao and Jordin Canada. Canada is still recovering from the right knee injury she sustained during the preseason, which has delayed her much-anticipated return to the court. Te-Hina Paopao, who had shown early promise, was ruled out after suffering a facial injury in the first quarter of the game against the Dallas Wings.
Then there’s Brittney Griner—the cornerstone on which the team’s success rests. If they hope to move past or even maintain their uneven 3-2 start, they’ll need to be cautious with her moving forward. With depth already a concern, each setback only makes the road ahead tougher for the Dream. They got a glimpse of that in the last game, too, as they came dangerously close to dropping another player. Nia Coffey was involved in an incident that saw her lying on the floor, clutching her face.
Why was Nia Coffey taken out of the Dream vs. Sun game?
Early in the game, Olivia Nelson-Ododa drove aggressively through the middle, but Nia Coffey stepped in to take the charge. As Nelson-Ododa barreled forward, her elbow struck Coffey in the head, sending her to the floor. Coffey remained down as the medical team attended to her for a facial injury with a bit of blood on her forehead, eventually helping her off the court for further evaluation.
She was praised for her bravery on air as the commentator said, “This is what happens when you sacrifice your bodies, ladies and gentlemen, on defense. Nia Coffey is setting up right here. Gets the contact and gets hit in the face.”
Nia Coffey showed incredible toughness and commitment on the defensive end, putting her body on the line to stop a crucial play. She willingly absorbed a heavy blow, knowing it was the best way to prevent an easy scoring opportunity for the Connecticut Sun. In that moment, she had a choice—play it safe and potentially concede free throws or step in and make the tough play.
May 25, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Connecticut Sun forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa (10) makes an offensive foul against Atlanta Dream forward Nia Coffey (12) during the first quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
She chose the latter, executing a near-perfect defensive stand without making a foul. The impact left her shaken and forced her off the court briefly, but her resilience was on full display. Just minutes later, Coffey returned to the game with a bandage wrapped around her head and immediately made her presence felt.
Her defensive brilliance is not a thing to be surprised about, as Coffey anchored the Dream’s league-leading defense over a 17-game stretch a couple of years ago before she went down with a left hand injury for the rest of the season.
Nia Coffey shines in her first start of the season
Atlanta started forward Nia Coffey in place of Griner alongside star Brionna Jones, making it her first start of the season, and she missed no chances in making the most of it. Despite that slight hiccup and injury scare in the first quarter, Coffey was back and balling. She was mazing through the defense and dropping shots from beyond the arc. Coincidentally, she made a similar run to the rim like Nelson did, and no one from the Sun camp dared to do what Coffey did as she made an easy layup.
Coffey finished with a double-double, with her stat line reading 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists, while adding the outside threat with her going 3/7 from beyond the arc. The Dream managed to win this one fairly easily, with the scoreline being 79-55 despite their injury woes. It seems Coffey will be a starter for some games. She could even solidify her spot if she continues this form.
Nia Coffey vs Connecticut:
18 PTS
10 RBS
4 AST
6-13 FG
3-7 3P
3-4 FT
Atlanta wins, 79-55! pic.twitter.com/KGQMTGzMot
— I talk hoops (@trendyhoopstars) May 25, 2025
Allisha Gray was also among the points for the Dream, as she scored 18 and had 7 rebounds along with 3 assists. They pulled through with a dominating display even without Brittney Griner. They don’t have enough time to wait until their players come back, as they immediately travel to face the Los Angeles Sparks within two days.
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