ATLANTA (Interstat) — Rhyne Howard scored 21 points and Angel Reese added 17 points and 10 rebounds as the Atlanta Dream rallied from a slow start to defeat the Phoenix Mercury 82-80 on Sunday at State Farm Arena.

Jordin Canada dished out 14 assists to go with 11 points and seven rebounds for Atlanta, which improved to 4-1. Allisha Gray scored 18 points, including two free throws with 7.9 seconds left that sealed the victory.

Alyssa Thomas led Phoenix with 20 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in 36 minutes. Kahleah Copper also scored 20 points for the Mercury, who fell to 2-5. Kyara Linskens added 10 points off the bench.

The game featured a frantic fourth quarter in which Atlanta outscored Phoenix 33-23. The Dream shot 12 of 27 from the floor in the period, committed only two turnovers and drew several fouls that sent them to the free throw line repeatedly.

Phoenix controlled the first quarter, jumping to a 25-13 lead. The Mercury’s defense forced Atlanta into 5-of-16 shooting and three early turnovers. Natasha Mack blocked a Reese layup and grabbed defensive rebounds to help set the tone. Alyssa Thomas scored six points in the quarter, and Kahleah Copper added eight.

Atlanta began to chip away in the second quarter, outscoring Phoenix 24-19. Canada found Gray for a 3-pointer and assisted Reese on a driving layup. The Dream cut the deficit to 44-37 at halftime.

The third quarter was low scoring, with Phoenix holding a 13-12 edge to extend its lead to 57-49. Both teams struggled from the field, combining to shoot 9 of 43 in the period. Thomas scored six points for the Mercury, while Howard hit two 3-pointers for Atlanta.

The most important stretch came in the fourth quarter. Atlanta opened the period with a 7-0 run, keyed by a Howard running jump shot and a Reese layup, to tie the game at 57-57 with 8:34 remaining. After a flagrant foul on Reese gave Phoenix two free throws, Canada drew a flagrant foul on the next possession, leading to three free throws from Kiana Williams that put Phoenix up 62-59.

Atlanta responded with a 13-6 surge. Reese scored on a driving layup, Gray added a runner and Te-Hina Paopao hit a 3-pointer to give the Dream a 72-68 lead with 4:19 to play. Thomas answered with a layup, but Howard buried a 3-pointer from the left wing to make it 75-70 with 4:00 left.

Phoenix refused to fold. Copper hit a technical free throw after Reese was whistled for a technical foul, then scored on a pullup jumper to cut the deficit to 75-73 with 3:03 left. Gray answered with a running layup, and after a Mercury miss, Canada assisted Isobel Borlase on a 3-pointer that stretched Atlanta’s lead to 80-73 with 1:29 remaining.

Thomas drove for a layup to make it 80-75, and after a defensive stop, Thomas found Copper for a 3-pointer that pulled Phoenix within 80-78 with 20.3 seconds left. Atlanta inbounded to Canada, who drove and was fouled. She made the free throw to push the lead to 81-78 with 15.4 seconds left.

Phoenix called timeout, then inbounded to Thomas. She drove and kicked to Copper, who missed a 3-pointer. The rebound was batted out of bounds, giving the Mercury one last chance with 3.5 seconds left. Copper was fouled on a 3-point attempt and made two of three free throws, cutting the lead to 81-80. Atlanta inbounded to Gray, who was fouled and made both free throws with 7.9 seconds left. Phoenix’s final possession ended with Thomas’ pass being deflected out of bounds as time expired.

The attendance was 3,575.

Alyssa Thomas, who had posted three double-doubles in her previous four games, was the top star for Phoenix. She shot 8 of 15 from the floor and added two steals. Cooper shot 7 of 18 and made four free throws. Natasha Mack contributed six points, seven rebounds and two blocks in 16 minutes.

For Atlanta, Howard shot 8 of 19 and made four 3-pointers. Reese shot 6 of 14 and grabbed 10 rebounds, five offensive, with four assists and a block. Canada shot 4 of 12 but controlled the tempo with her 14 assists against two turnovers. Gray shot 7 of 14 and added a steal.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Atlanta 95, Phoenix 87. Interstat’s ELO system gave Atlanta a 76.3 percent probability to win. Atlanta was a pregame favorite with a spread of minus 5.5 points. The total score of 162 points went over the over-under line of 166.5.