Overview
- Atlanta completed a 3-0 semifinal sweep of the New York Liberty with an 85-83 Game 3 victory on Friday to reach the franchise’s first Finals since 2013.
- Angel Reese led the Dream in the closeout, finishing with 22 points and nine rebounds, and said after the game that she had “manifested” the Finals appearance.
- The Golden State Valkyries swept the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, winning Game 3 in overtime, to become the quickest expansion team to reach the Finals in Year 2.
- Allisha Gray missed the deciding game with a left-finger injury, forcing Atlanta to use a condensed rotation down the stretch and leaving Gray’s availability the key health question before Game 1.
- The best-of-seven Finals begin Saturday, Oct. 17, with Game 1 in Golden State, giving Atlanta just over a week to rest and adjust roster minutes before the series starts.