For the Atlanta Dream the WNBA All-Star Game was both a blessing and a curse. On one hand they desperately needed the rest with injuries having had a major impact on the season thus far. Sancho Lyttle hasn't played since returning from her stint with the Spanish National team because of a back injury. Coco Miller has missed three straight games with an ankle injury. So for the wounded it was a good time to rest however the break coincided with the Dream having won three straight games and playing their best basketball of the season.
No doubt the return of Angel McCoughtry to an All-Star level has played a big part in the Dream's resurgence. McCoughtry was recently named as the WNBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Week and most recently scored a season high 33 points in last Wednesday's win over Washington.
While the Dream have been on an upswing of late, it has been a tough season for the Tulsa Shock who are 1-14 and are on their second head coach this season. After a 1-10 start to the season, head coach and general manager Nolan Richardson resigned from the club and former University of Georgia standout Teresa Edwards has taken over in the interim.
The Shock's leading scorer Ivory Latta could return to action today against the Dream after sitting out the last five games with a staph infection. Her 14.6 points per game average could be a big boost to a Shock team that has had trouble scoring all season averaging a league worst 69 points per game.
If there is a silver lining for the Shock it has been the play of rookie center Liz Cambage who is averaging 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per contest. The 6-foot-8 center had an outstanding performance in the All-Star game this past weekend where she scored 13 points and grabbed four rebounds.
Tip off for tonight's game is scheduled for 8 p.m. from Tulsa and can be seen on the internet with WNBA Live Access.