Madina Okot Makes Winning WNBA Debut as She Drops Eight Points for Atlanta Dream

Kenyan basketball sensation Madina Okot officially made her WNBA debut on Sunday, contributing eight points as the Atlanta Dream orchestrated a stunning comeback to defeat the Minnesota Lynx 91-90 at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

The rookie center, who secured a spot on the Dream's 12-player roster for the season, came off the bench for 10 minutes of action. In that time, Okot made a significant impact, adding four rebounds and a steal to her eight-point tally.

The victory was made all the more dramatic as Atlanta clawed their way back from a daunting 19-point halftime deficit. The game-winning shot came from guard Te-Hina Paopao, who sank a 16-foot jumper with just 11.3 seconds left on the clock, giving the Dream their first and only lead of the night.

In a frantic final sequence, Atlanta forced a held ball and recorded two crucial blocks, including a pivotal rejection by fellow debutant Angel Reese, to deny a last-second layup and seal the improbable win.

After a sluggish start, the Dream's offense ignited in the second half, shooting 48.6% from the field and dominating the boards 22-8. Allisha Gray was instrumental in the resurgence, scoring 14 of her game-high 24 points in the third quarter alone. Rhyne Howard and Naz Hillmon each finished with 15 points.

Reese also made an immediate splash in her first game, posting an impressive double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds. The Dream's comeback was fueled by an 18-4 run in the third quarter and a much-improved performance in the final period, where they overcame a seven-point deficit in the last seven minutes.

Madina Okot made history as the first Kenyan-born player to be drafted into the WNBA. The 20-year-old center, who previously played for the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and honed her skills at the Canarias Basketball Academy in Spain, was selected by the Atlanta Dream as the 45th overall pick in the WNBA Draft.

Having already turned heads with strong preseason performances, Okot will now look to earn more minutes and establish herself on the world's biggest stage.

The Atlanta Dream will be back in action on Wednesday, May 13, when they travel to Texas to face the Dallas Wings. The Wings are also coming off a season-opening victory, having defeated the Indiana Fever 107-104.