(Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)

A tough loss in their last game against the defending league champions hasn't lessened the Atlanta Dream's optimism for a run to the WNBA title.

After falling 85-84 to the visiting Las Vegas Aces on Sunday despite erasing a 17-point deficit with a furious fourth-quarter rally, Atlanta aims for a better start and outcome Friday night when it hosts the Dallas Wings.

Atlanta (2-1) hasn't found the best version of itself yet offensively, ranking just 10th in the league in scoring at 84 points per game. It's battling injuries as starter and three-time All-Star Rhyne Howard (concussion protocol) didn't play on Sunday. Howard practiced on Thursday, while Brionna Jones, who hasn't played yet this season because of a knee injury, has been ruled out for Friday's game.

That potential for the team is part of why coach Karl Smesko and his players are excited to see what happens.

'I think we have a lot of room for improvement, which is really exciting for what we're capable of doing,' he said. 'This is a long season. We're going to keep getting better. I think we have the makings of a great team.'

Allisha Gray is the leading scorer through three games at 25 points per game, while Howard (14.5), point guard Jordin Canada (14) and new center Angel Reese (10.7) are also in double figures.

Meanwhile, Dallas (3-2) got its three-game road trip off to a fine start Wednesday night with a 99-89 decision over the Chicago Sky. Paige Bueckers gunned in 24 points on 11-for-19 shooting, while Jessica Shepard logged the league's first triple-double of the year with 18 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.

That win and a 92-69 rout of Washington on Monday night came after consecutive losses that had first-year coach Jose Fernandez ripping what he perceived as selfishness from his team. After Wednesday night's victory, Bueckers praised the team's selflessness.

'We pass up good shots for great shots,' she said. 'I think we're starting to get a chemistry with each other. That comes with repetition.'

The teams have already met once this year with Atlanta pulling out a 77-72 road decision on May 12 behind 26 points from Gray as well as Reese's 12-point, 16-rebound effort.

--Field Level Media