The Atlanta Dream announced on Wednesday they have fired coach Tanisha Wright after three seasons in charge.

The Dream made the WNBA playoffs for the second consecutive year under Wright but were again knocked out in the first round, losing 91-82 to the New York Liberty on September 25.

Wright, who spent 14 years in the WNBA as a player, did not finish a season with a winning record during her time in charge of the Dream, guiding Atlanta to a 48-68 record overall in her time as coach.

Atlanta finished eighth this season with a 15-25 record, with the Dream's last winning record coming back in 2018 under Nicki Collen.

"Tanisha was an important contributor in our efforts to rebuild the Dream," executive vice president and general manager Dan Padover said in a statement.

"And we want to thank her for her hard work and dedication to the Dream over the last three seasons and wish her the best in the future.

"At this time, we believe a change is needed to lead our players and organization to the next chapter in our efforts to be a top team in the WNBA."

After trading up for the number one overall pick in the WNBA Draft, the Atlanta Dream selected Kentucky's Rhyne Howard.

Howard, 21, is a six-foot-two forward who averaged 20 points and seven rebounds in her senior season, and became a member of the Dream after they traded picks three and 14 to the Washington Mystics for pick one.

Rounding out the top-five was NaLyssa Smith and Emily Engstler to the Indiana Fever at picks two and four, while Shakira Austin went to the Mystics at pick three and Nyara Sabally was selected by the New York Liberty with pick five.

Speaking to the media after being selected first, Howard highlighted the ways she feels she can help the Dream, saying she will bring "competitive spirit" and will stay "calm, cool and collected."

"I think that’s what really helped me to become successful," she said. "I just really want to have an impact on the team.

“I’m very versatile, so whatever position I’m playing, I like to match for those positions… [and] continue to make everyone better."