WASHINGTON (Interstat) — The Atlanta Dream look to rebound from their most lopsided defeat of the season when they visit the Washington Mystics on Friday night at CareFirst Arena. Atlanta enters the matchup at 18-11, second-place positioning in the WNBA standings. Washington is close behind at 16-12. The teams have split their season series: Washington won 81-76 on July 2 in the District, while Atlanta cruised to a 109-77 victory on June 6 at home. The Dream are coming off an 87-109 home loss to Las Vegas on Monday, ending a four-game winning streak. Atlanta had won seven of its previous eight before that defeat. Angel Reese has been central to Atlanta’s success. The forward produced 23 points and 16 rebounds in the loss to Las Vegas, and she has recorded at least 10 rebounds in six of her past seven games. Reese also scored 21 points with 13 boards against Seattle on July 31, and had a 22-point, 12-rebound effort in a one-point win at Dallas on July 29. Washington, meanwhile, won its third straight game by beating Dallas 81-75 on Friday. The Mystics have won five of their last six overall. Center Shakira Austin powered that latest victory with 28 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Austin has been productive throughout July, posting double-digit rebounds in three of her last five games, including 15 rebounds against Golden State on July 20. She had 27 points and five boards against Seattle on July 12. Friday’s matchup could be a preview of a postseason battle. Both teams rank among the league leaders, and the only previous meeting in Washington was decided by five points. Interstat’s game simulator is projecting a narrow home victory: Washington 93, Atlanta 90. Key for Atlanta will be limiting second-chance opportunities against Washington’s size. Key for Washington will be containing Reese, who has been the Dream’s most consistent force on the glass and in the paint. The teams meet again in the regular-season stretch with playoff implications growing, making Friday’s game a meaningful early-August test for both rosters.