The Atlanta Dream advanced closer to their first WNBA Finals appearance since 2013 with a decisive 92-82 victory over the New York Liberty in Game 1 of the semifinals. Atlanta secured a 1-0 series lead after an explosive second half, outscoring the Liberty 32-15 in the third quarter. Despite playing much of the game without star guard Allisha Gray due to a hand injury in the first quarter, the Dream's defense was formidable, forcing 19 turnovers overall, including nine in the third quarter. Jordin Canada led the team with 25 points and four assists, while DeWanna Bonner contributed 23 points and nine rebounds. Angel Reese added 17 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks.
Read More
Sabrina Ionescu was the top performer for the Liberty, scoring 27 points on 10-of-20 shooting, but she also recorded five turnovers. Breanna Stewart added 19 points but was limited to just two rebounds. The Dream previously defeated the Liberty twice during the regular season, indicating a successful strategy against the 2026 Commissioner's Cup winners. Game 2 is set for Wednesday.
In the second semifinal, the Golden State Valkyries defeated the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces 71-60, showcasing a strong defensive effort that limited the Aces to just 34 percent shooting. While A'ja Wilson scored 24 points for Las Vegas, she needed 21 shots to do so. Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 25 points, along with 11 rebounds and five assists. Kaitlyn Chen contributed 11 points off the bench as Golden State dominated the boards, outrebounding Las Vegas 52-25, with Kiah Stokes securing 14 rebounds and Kayla Thornton adding 11. After losing all three regular-season matchups to the Aces, the Valkyries look to take a 2-0 series lead in Game 2 on Wednesday.