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Strong and dominant! Madina Okot steals the show in her first WNBA match
10th May, 2026 04:47 PM
Madina Okot got her pro-basketball journey in the United States Women’s National Basketball League off to a dream start as the Atlanta Dream edged Minnesota Lynx on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Okot earned a 10-minute cameo in her first WNBA regular-season game as Dream, just got the better of the Lynx scoreline.
She finished the game with 8 points and 4 rebounds, earning praise from fans for her confident performance. The Atlanta Dream completed a strong comeback to seal the win and start the season on a dream start.
In the encounter, Dreams endured a torrid start and once trailed their rivals by a massive 16 points. An inspired display from Angel Reese and Te-Hana Pao Pao, however, inspired the team to fight back late.
Dominant and efficient
Upon entering the fray, she cemented her credentials as an offensive and defensive stalwart with yet another dominant display in her debut.
She first forced her way inside to the basket for her first professional points and was among the overall standout performers to define what was a highly competitive game called late when the hosts clawed their way back into contention, eventually taking control in the closing moments.
Central to her strength is her use of her burly frame, which saw the Kenyan move on defenders to create space for herself and space to shoot.
The style coupled with her eye for the basket sealed a very impactful night with her individual contribution of 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal, summing up an efficient display for the rookie.
The debut was a continuation of the fine run in the preseason, where she emerged among the best-performing rookies in the WNBA with the Atlanta Dream.
In a couple of preseason games, she similarly brought the court to a standstill with a performance that prompted the NBA fans to question whether she was really a rookie
From Mumias to WNBA
The Zetech University alumna and member of the Kenyan 3×3 basketball team joined the WNBA outfit in late April 2026, after being selected 13th overall by the Dreams in the 2026 WNBA draft, becoming the first Kenyan to be drafted in the first round.
The Atlanta Dream will now shift focus to their next fixture against the Dallas Wings, scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, 2026, as Okot looks to continue building her professional profile in the competitive US basketball scene.
