The Atlanta Dream advanced to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2013 after sweeping the New York Liberty.. Angel Reese led the charge with 22 points during the series-closing victory on October 9, 2026, at the Barclays Center.
Angel Reese’s 22-point surge and the 2026 DPOY impact
Angel Reese anchored the Atlanta Dream's victory with a dominant perfformance, recording 22 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. According to the report, Reese shot 7-for-18 from the field and was perfect from the free-throw line, converting all six of her attempts. Her offensive output was critical in the first half, where she scored 18 points to help the Atlanta Dream establish a 44-39 lead at the break.
The victory was a collective effort for the Atlanta Dream, with Rhyne Howard contributing 21 points and Jordin Canada adding 19 points alongside 11 assists. This performance validates Reese's status as the league's Defensive Player of the Year, a title she earned alongside a regular-season average of 16.4 points and 12.1 rebounds in 2026.
A clash with the Golden State Valkyries on October 17
The Atlanta Dream, who entered the playoffs as the fourth seed and remain undefeated in the postseason, will now face the Golden State Valkyries. The championship series is scheduled to begin on Saturday, October 17.. This matchup represents a significant shift in league power, as the Golden State Valkyries reached the Finals by surprisingly sweeping the defending-champion Las Vegas Aces.
The fall of the Las Vegas Aces is particularly notable given that their star, A'ja Wilson, just earned her fifth MVP Award on Friday. As the report says, the Atlanta Dream are now seeking the first championship in franchise history, needing four victories to secure the title against a Golden State Valkyries team that has already dismantled the reigning dynasty.
New York Liberty's fall from the No. 8 seed
The New York Liberty's exit from the playoffs marks the end of a volatile season for a team that returned most of the core that won a championship two years ago. Despite finishing as the No. 8 seed, the New York Liberty showed flashes of their former dominance by knocking off the top-seeded Minnesota team in the first round. However, they were unable to maintain that momentum against the Atlanta Dream.
Even with standout efforts from Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart, who both finished the final game with 26 points, the New York Liberty struggled with consistency. The report notes that Sabrina Ionescu shouldered much of the blame as the New York Liberty faced elimination in Game 3, failing to overcome a late-game surge by the Atlanta Dream that saw New York held without a basket for over six minutes in the fourth quarter .
The uncertainty of Allisha Gray’s left-hand injury
A critical variable for the upcoming Finals is the health of Allisha Gray, who missed the series-clinching win against the New York Liberty.. Gray has now missed two consecutive games due to a left-hand injury,leaving a gap in the Atlanta Dream's rotation during their sweep of the Liberty.
While the report mentions that Allisha Gray could be ready to return for the championship round, there is no official timeline for her recovery or confirmation of her current fitness level.. It remains unclear if the Atlanta Dream will be forced to rely on their current rotation or if Gray will be integrated back into the lineup in time for the October 17 tip-off against the Golden State Valkyries.
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