Atlanta buzzed with energy all weekend. The heat was high, but the hometown teams were even hotter.
At Truist Park, fans packed the stands for a rare five-game showdown between the Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins. The series started with tension — a test of grit in the dog days of summer. But the Braves came ready. By Saturday night, they had strung together three straight wins, including a sweep of the day’s doubleheader. The crowd roared louder with each crack of the bat, each pitch that found its mark. It was the kind of weekend Atlanta hadn’t seen in a while.
Sunday sealed the deal.
With the series on the line, the Braves delivered a dominant 7-1 victory. Marcell Ozuna was unstoppable — three home runs over the weekend, each one landing like a firework in the outfield bleachers. Matt Olson added his usual steady power, driving in key runs and keeping the momentum rolling. It was more than just a win. It was a statement — the Braves’ first series victory since June, and it came in emphatic fashion.
Meanwhile, nearly 2,000 miles west in the desert sun, the Atlanta Dream were chasing a streak of their own. Inside Phoenix’s Footprint Center, the Dream faced off against the Mercury in a gritty, low-scoring battle. The Dream weren’t fazed. They’d found rhythm, and weren’t about to lose it now.
Allisha Gray took the reins, slicing through defenders and dropping 17 points with cold precision. The third quarter brought a jolt of drama when Jordin Canada drained a clutch three-pointer, only to leave the court moments later with an apparent injury. But the Dream didn’t blink. They held strong, closing out the game 74-66 and stretching their win streak to five — seven of their last eight.
By Sunday night, it was clear: Atlanta was on top.
The city had witnessed two very different games — one on the diamond, one on the hardwood — but both teams had walked away with something that mattered more than just a win: momentum. Pride. And a glimpse of something bigger building on the horizon.
In a city known for comebacks, this weekend felt like the start of something special.
(Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
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