Milton Kirby
Reese and Howard lead Atlanta’s offense, while Bonner’s late rebound and free throws seal an 85-83 victory in Brooklyn.
By Milton Kirby | Brooklyn, NY | October 10, 2026
The Atlanta Dream are going back to the WNBA Finals.
Thirteen years after their last appearance in the championship series, the Dream defeated the New York Liberty 85-83 Friday night at Barclays Center, completing a three-game sweep and earning another opportunity to pursue the first WNBA title in franchise history.
Atlanta’s fourth trip to the Finals came after a tense game that was not decided until the closing seconds. The Dream built a 12-point lead, watched New York fight back, and then relied on defense and two free throws from DeWanna Bonner to secure the victory.
“We put a lot of work in for this moment,” Angel Reese said following the game. “We can’t shy away from knowing that.”
Reese led Atlanta with 22 points and nine rebounds. Rhyne Howard added 21 points, while Jordin Canada finished with 19 points and 11 assists. Bonner recorded 13 points and 13 rebounds, and Isobel Borlase contributed 10 points off the bench.
Five players scored in double figures as Atlanta advanced without injured leading scorer Allisha Gray and Brionna Jones.
The Dream will face the Golden State Valkyries in the best-of-seven WNBA Finals beginning October 17.
Bonner Makes the Final Plays Count
The final minute captured the determination that carried Atlanta through the series.
With approximately one minute remaining, the Dream held an 83-79 lead. New York’s Jonquel Jones scored inside to reduce the advantage to two points.
Atlanta then committed a turnover, giving the Liberty another opportunity.
Following a timeout with fewer than 18 seconds remaining, New York put the ball in Breanna Stewart’s hands.
Stewart drove toward the basket and attempted a contested layup that would have tied the game.
The shot missed.
Bonner grabbed the rebound and was fouled.
With 6.2 seconds left, she stepped to the free-throw line and made both attempts, pushing Atlanta’s lead to 85-81.
Stewart scored on a putback as time expired, but the final basket only narrowed the margin.
The Dream had survived, 85-83.
“We feel really great that we were able to make the last couple of plays,” head coach Karl Smesko said. “I’m really proud of the way our players competed, pulled together, and held on to win.”
The victory completed Atlanta’s sweep of a New York team that had entered the playoffs hoping to return to the championship round.
Atlanta Establishes an Early Advantage
The Dream opened the game with the confidence of a team carrying a 2-0 series lead.
Howard scored 11 points in the first quarter. Reese added 10, including two three-pointers, while Canada directed the offense with five early assists.
Atlanta led 25-18 after the opening period.
The second quarter became more physical as the Liberty attempted to slow the Dream’s offense.
New York closed the gap to one point late in the half, but Reese scored Atlanta’s final four points before intermission.
The Dream led 44-39 at halftime.
Atlanta opened the third quarter with seven unanswered points, extending its lead to 51-39.
For a moment, the Dream appeared ready to pull away.
New York responded with a 16-4 run that erased the advantage and shifted momentum toward the home team.
Canada helped keep Atlanta in the game, scoring nine consecutive Dream points during a critical stretch.
Still, the Liberty entered the fourth quarter leading 68-66.
Atlanta had lost its double-digit lead and now needed another comeback of its own.
A Fourth Quarter of Defensive Stops
New York extended its advantage early in the fourth quarter, but Atlanta answered with eight consecutive points to move ahead 75-71 with 4:55 remaining.
During that stretch, the Dream held the Liberty without a field goal for more than six minutes.
The teams continued trading baskets and defensive stops as the clock moved toward the final minute.
Neither side could establish a comfortable advantage.
Atlanta eventually moved ahead 83-79 before New York made its final push.
The decisive possession belonged to Bonner, whose defensive rebound and free throws ensured the Liberty would not get another opportunity to tie the game.
The Dream made 22 of 24 free throws, including their final 20 attempts, finishing at 91.7 percent from the line.
In a game decided by two points, those opportunities mattered.
Five Players Help Carry the Dream
Friday’s victory reflected the depth that has become an important part of Atlanta’s postseason success.
Reese scored at least 20 points for the second consecutive game. Her 10-point first quarter was the first double-digit quarter of her playoff career.
Howard recorded her second 20-point game of the postseason, helping Atlanta establish its early advantage.
Canada’s 19 points and 11 assists gave her a fourth career postseason double-double. Her nine consecutive points in the third quarter helped prevent New York from taking complete control.
Bonner’s 13-point, 13-rebound performance demonstrated the value of experience in a close playoff game.
Her final rebound and two free throws were the most important moments of her evening.
Borlase contributed 10 points and two steals off the bench.
The Dream’s balanced attack helped offset the absence of Gray, who remained sidelined with a hand injury, and Jones, who was also unavailable.
For New York, Stewart and Jonquel Jones scored 26 points apiece, but the Liberty could not extend the series.
Thirteen Years Between Finals Appearances
Atlanta’s return to the Finals carries special significance for a franchise that has come close to a championship but has never claimed the title.
The Dream first reached the WNBA Finals in 2010, losing to the Seattle Storm.
They returned in 2011, falling to the Minnesota Lynx, and made another appearance in 2013, again losing to Minnesota.
Each championship series ended in a three-game sweep.
Since then, Atlanta has experienced roster changes, coaching transitions, and seasons in which reaching the playoffs was itself a challenge.
The current team has now moved beyond those earlier disappointments to earn another opportunity.
This postseason run also reflects the work of a new group of players, including Reese, Howard, Canada, Hillmon, Bonner, and Borlase, along with Smesko’s coaching staff.
The Dream have advanced through the playoffs without a loss.
Their latest victory came on the road against a Liberty team featuring experienced championship players.
For Atlanta’s basketball community, the result ends a 13-year absence from the WNBA’s biggest stage.
The Championship Challenge Awaits
The Dream will meet the Golden State Valkyries, who completed their own semifinal sweep with an overtime victory over the Las Vegas Aces.
Golden State will have home-court advantage when the best-of-seven Finals begin Saturday, October 17, at Chase Center in San Francisco.
Both franchises are seeking their first WNBA championship.
Atlanta’s players can celebrate reaching a destination that has eluded the franchise since 2013.
But Reese made clear that the team has not reached its ultimate goal.
“The job isn’t done,” she said. “Happy where we are right now. We’re not satisfied.”
The Dream needed one more victory when they left State Farm Arena Wednesday night.
They earned it Friday in Brooklyn.
Now they need four more to become WNBA champions.
Statistical sidebar
WNBA SEMIFINALS · GAME 3
Atlanta Dream 85, New York Liberty 83
Series result
3–0
Finals appearance
4th
Attendance
17,991
| Dream player | PTS | REB | AST |
| Angel Reese | 22 | 9 | 3 |
| Rhyne Howard | 21 | 2 | — |
| Jordin Canada | 19 | 3 | 11 |
| DeWanna Bonner | 13 | 13 | 1 |
| Isobel Borlase | 10 | 2 | 1 |
Free throws
22 of 24 (91.7%)
Lead changes
7
New York leaders
Stewart & Jones: 26 each
Next game
Oct. 17 vs. Golden State
Statistics: WNBA official game report.
Truth Seekers Journal thrives because of readers like you. Join us in sustaining independent voices.
