Overview
- The Atlanta Dream completed a 3-0 semifinal sweep of the New York Liberty with an 85-83 win Friday night and will open the best-of-seven WNBA Finals at Golden State on Oct. 17.
- Angel Reese led the Dream in Game 3 with 22 points and nine rebounds, finished the season as the league’s 2026 Defensive Player of the Year, and set single-season WNBA rebound records that underpinned Atlanta’s postseason run.
- Reese’s shooting showed measurable improvement after focused work with coach Karl Smesko and trainer Iren Rainey, a process Reese described as including a training-camp drill that forced her to make consecutive 3s in front of teammates.
- Game 3 featured late drama as Breanna Stewart missed a contested try to tie the game and Jonquel Jones posted 26 points and 14 rebounds, while veteran DeWanna Bonner stepped in to calm a heated exchange between Reese and Sabrina Ionescu that drew a review but no technicals.
- New York ends the season with injury and roster questions — Ionescu cited persistent back trouble and Marine Johannès said she is uncertain about returning — while Atlanta will monitor Allisha Gray’s hand injury as it prepares to face a Golden State team that swept Las Vegas to reach its first Finals.