The Atlanta Dream will make WNBA history this Sunday when they become the first team in league history to play a game in Europe. The game is a part of a five-day trip in which the Dream's players and coaches will also be hosting clinics to help spread the word about the WNBA. The trip gives Atlanta the honor of being ambassadors of the game for the WNBA, but there is more than that on the line for coach Marynell Meadors.
The game will also be the only tune up for the Dream before their season begins on June 5 at Philips Arena. Atlanta will be without star forward Angel McCoughtry, who will miss the trip after spraining her knee in practice. Meadors and her coaching staff will be using the exhibition game as a way to further evaluate the roster as they prepare to open the season.
Fresh off last season's trip to the WNBA Finals, Atlanta has seen an increase in season-ticket sales and a further increase in interest in the team. Meadors made headlines when she pulled off a draft day trade that brought All-Star guard Lindsey Harding to Atlanta to help shore up the point guard position. Following the acquisition of Harding, the Dream appear to be poised for another run at the Finals but you won't catch coach Meadors resting on last year's success.
"It's lot harder to repeat what you did last year," she said. "This year is a different year. The players are different even though they are the same. They are a year older, more mature. Hopefully, they will still bring that same enthusiasm and passion for the game."
Tip off for the game is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET on Sunday and can be seen on NBATV.
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