The Atlanta Dream hold a 2-0 lead in the WNBA semifinals after defeating the New York Liberty 101-98 in an overtime thriller. The victory at State Farm Arena puts the Dream on the verge of their first Finals appearance since 2013 .

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Naz Hillmon's 20.8-second layup and the 101-98 overtime win

The game reached a fever pitch in the extra period, where Naz Hillmon, the 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, transitioned from defensive anchor to offensive hero. According to the report, Hillmon scored a decisive go-ahead layup with just 20.8 seconds remaining in overtime. She capped off her performance with two critical free throws in the final five seconds, finishing the night with 23 points.

Supporting Hillmon was Jordin Canada, who matched her with 23 points and added eight assists to orchestrate the Atlanta Dream's offense. The synergy between Canada and Hillmon proved insurmountable for the New York Liberty, particularly as Atlanta scored 13 points in the overtime frame to secure the 101-98 result.

The Dream's resilience despite Allisha Gray's hand injury

Atlanta's victory is particularly striking because the team had to navigate the absence of Allisha Gray. As the report says, Gray is the leading scorer for the Atlanta Dream, and this contest marked the first time she has missed a game all season due to a hand injury.

The necessity of relying on bench depth forced the Atlanta Dream to evolve their tactical approach mid-series. By distributing the scoring load between Jordin Canada and Naz Hillmon, the Dream demonstrated a level of roster versatility that has caught the defending champions off guard.

Breanna Stewart's 35 points weren't enough for the Liberty

Despite the loss, the New York Liberty displayed the caliber of a defending champion, led by a massive performance from Breanna Stewart. Stewart dominated the scoring with 35 points, fighting through heavy traffic to keep the game within reach, including a late layup that brought the score to 86-85 in the closing moments of regulation.

The New York Liberty also saw a late surge from Sabrina Ionescu, who hit a deep three-pointer to narrow the gap before the game headed to overtime. However, a misplaced pass by Ionescu in the final seconds of the overtime period allowed Naz Hillmon to seal the game at the free-throw line.

A decade-long drought ending with a 2-0 series lead

This series represents a potential turning point for the Atlanta Dream, who have not reached the WNBA Finals since 2013. By pairing this overtime win with their 92-82 victory in Game 1, the Dream have established a psychological advantage over the New York Liberty.

This surge reflects a broader trend of increasing parity and competitiveness within the WNBA.. The ability of a challenger like the Atlanta Dream to dominate a defending champion suggests a shifting landscape where depth and defensive adjustments are outweighing individual superstardom.

Can the New York Liberty avoid a sweep at the Barclays Center?

The series now shifts to Brooklyn for Game 3 this Friday evening. The primary question remains whether the New York Liberty can neutralize the momentum the Atlanta Dream have built, or if the Liberty's championship experience will be enough to prevent a sweep at the Barclays Center.

While the source notes the Liberty's talent, it remains unclear how New York will adjust their defensive scheme to stop the Hillmon-Canada connection. furthermore, the report does not specify if Allisha Gray will return to the Atlanta Dream lineup for Game 3, a factor that could either bolster Atlanta's lead or give New York a tactical opening to mount a comeback.