Madina Okot shines with first WNBA double-double against Aces
Kenya’s Madina Okot has delivered a breakthrough performance in the WNBA, recording her first career double-double for Atlanta Dream despite a narrow 85-84 loss to defending champions Las Vegas Aces.
Okot made a big impact off the bench as Atlanta Dream pushed the Aces to the limit in a thrilling clash at State Farm Arena.
The Kenyan international played just 16 minutes but made them count, scoring 14 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and adding a key block in a strong all-round display.
Atlanta fought back from a 17-point deficit and produced a late surge, even outscoring the Aces in key stretches of the final quarter. However, the comeback fell just short in the closing seconds of a tightly contested game.
Despite the loss, Okot’s performance stood out, especially in a match where Atlanta were missing key players and struggled with shooting, finishing at 37 per cent from the field and 22 per cent from three-point range.
After the match, Atlanta head coach Karl Smesko praised the Kenyan rookie, saying her potential is clear for everyone to see.
“She was grabbing rebounds, making defensive plays, getting into the paint under control and making smart decisions. I thought she was outstanding,” Smesko said. “She’s going to end up as one of the best players in this league.”
He added that while the defeat was painful, the team’s fighting spirit and resilience remain a positive sign for the season ahead.
For Okot, the performance marks a major milestone early in her WNBA career and a strong statement against one of the league’s top teams.
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