Madina Okot makes first WNBA start as Dream drop third consecutive game
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 28.06.26. | 16:05
The 21-year-old spent 11 minutes on the floor, scoring six points, and grabbing five rebounds
Kenyan basketball star Madina Okot on Sunday, 28 June hit a new milestone in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), after making her first regular season start for the Atlanta Dream.
Download our Mozzart Sport app for more news
Okot, in her rookie year in the American professional league, was for the first time named in the starting five for Dream, as they fell 105-90 to Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena.
The 21-year-old had never been named as a starter for Karl Smesko’s side, but was merited a chance on the team’s 19th game of the season, joining regular openers Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Angel Reese, and Rhyne Howard.
Having taken some time to acclimatise herself to the league, Okot’s time came right when she was enjoying brilliant form, though team sources indicated that she was stepping in for forward Naz Hillmon, who was out of the game due to rest.
Okot, in her two previous matches last week, had averaged double figures, including her career-high 18 points against Toronto Tempo on Monday, 22 June.
On Sunday, she ended up playing only 11 minutes, scoring six points, and grabbing five rebounds.
Her exploits on a memorable day would,however, not help her side stem their losing run, as their latest defeat took them to three consecutive losses, the first time that has happened to Dream since September 2024.
Dream, playing their sixth game in 10 days, had their defense force 18 turnovers and record seven steals, but struggled to slow a Seattle offense that shot 60.3% from the field.
Speaking after the game, Smesko, said: “Seattle was outstanding. They were great from the opening tip. They just shot the ball incredibly well today, and I thought we hung around, hung around, but we just couldn't make that run to really put some stress on them.”
Howard led the team with 27 points, while Reese added 17, and Gray finished with 15. Canada dished out a team-high 10 assists to go along with eight points, while Isobel Borlase scored seven points to lead the Dream reserves.
Okot’s next chance to keep up her run of form comes on Friday, 3 July against the Washington Mystics.