- Madina Okot recorded her first WNBA double-double on Sunday, May 19, 2026.
- Coming off the bench, Okot logged 16 minutes and delivered 14 points alongside 11 rebounds.
- Her side, the Atlanta Dream, suffered a heartbreaking 85-84 defeat to defending champions the Las Vegas Aces in a packed clash at State Farm Arena.
Kenya’s basketball rising star Madina Okot came off the bench on Sunday night to notch her first-ever double-double in the WNBA, as her Atlanta Dream fell one shot short in an 85-84 loss to Las Vegas during a sold-out home clash at State Farm Arena.
Standing at 6’6”, Okot logged 16 minutes in just her third WNBA outing, where she managed to rack up 14 points alongside 11 rebounds and a sensational block, impressing the Dream’s home crowd in her first appearance on their floor.
It was a breathtaking second-half performance for the Dream’s 13th pick in the draft, as she watched her squad rally from a staggering 19-point deficit against the defending WNBA champs to snatch a one-point lead with 36 seconds left on a layup by Jordin Canada.
READ MORE: Madina Okot officially makes WNBA debut, drops eight as Atlanta Dream edge Minnesota Lynx
Kenya’s Madina Okot records first WNBA double-double
But Atlanta’s final inbound play did not go as planned, costing them their first loss of the season in their home opener before a packed crowd of more than 17,000.
“She was grabbing rebounds, making defensive plays, getting into the paint under control, making smart decisions with it. I thought she was outstanding,” Madina earned praise from her coach Karl Smesko.
I think everyone can see what Madina is capable of becoming. Honestly, I really believe she’s going to end up as one of the best players in this league. She has that kind of ability.”
On top of her stellar performance, she was also named the team’s Player of the Game by her side.
As the first Kenyan ever drafted in the first round, Okot, having started her basketball journey just six years ago, has played all three of her games off the bench.
She made her debut against the Minnesota Lynx, scoring eight points. Her second outing was not as sharp, but she still snagged five rebounds as her team came from behind to beat the Dallas Wings 77-72.
Atlanta Dream erase 19-point deficit but Aces steal win late in fourth quarter
Against the Aces, the Dream was led by Allisha Gray, who poured in 25 points, Te-Hina Paopao, who scored a career-high 19, while newly acquired star Angel Reese finished with nine points and eight rebounds.
The Aces’ Chelsea Gray drilled a 12-foot jumper with 3.8 seconds left to reclaim a one-point edge.
After torching the nets for most of the first three quarters, Gray’s basket marked just the Aces’ fourth field goal in the final period.
The Dream called a timeout to draw up their final play, trying to replicate what they’d done earlier against Minnesota and Dallas.
Reese could not inbound on the first try. After a timeout reset, Paopao took the inbound and passed to Allisha Gray, who was stripped of the ball by Chelsea Gray to seal the game.
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The fourth quarter began with Las Vegas’ NaLyssa Smith hitting a short jumper to push her team’s lead to 14, at 77-63. The Dream’s deficit swelled to 17, 81-64, when Jewell Loyd knocked down two free throws with 7:57 left.
The comeback started with a layup by Allisha Gray, part of her scoring the next four points to cut Atlanta’s gap to 81-70 with 5:21 remaining. A free throw by Naz Hillmon, two buckets by Okot, and a layup by Hillmon pulled the Dream within 81-77 with 3:06 to go.
Las Vegas’ A’ja Wilson hit a layup to break Atlanta’s pressure and give her team an 83-80 lead with 2:16 left. Gray was fouled by Wilson and sank both free throws to trim Atlanta’s deficit to one again, 83-82, with 59.9 seconds on the clock.
After a Las Vegas timeout, they predictably went to Wilson, but Canada stole the ball and finished a layup to hand the Dream an 84-83 lead with 36 seconds remaining. Canada then fouled Wilson with 22.6 seconds left.
Following another Las Vegas timeout, Gray drove into the lane but missed her short jumper. Jackie Young and Allisha Gray jumped for the rebound, resulting in a jump ball with 8.5 seconds left. Young won the tip.
Gray grabbed the ball and hit a 12-footer to put the Dream behind by one, setting up the final, unsuccessful possession.
Gray led the Aces with 21 points, while and Chennedy Carter added 20 apiece, helping Las Vegas move to 4-1 in their title defense campaign after dropping their opener to Phoenix.
Madina and her side will head back to the drawing board and make sure they polish a few things ahead of their next matchup on Saturday, when they host the Dallas Wings in their fourth game, aiming to bounce back into winning form.