Reese and Canada lead Atlanta past New York as a dramatic finish and an electric State Farm Arena crowd bring the Dream closer to a championship appearance.
By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | October 8, 2026
The Atlanta Dream are one victory away from playing for the WNBA championship.
Behind 23 points each from Angel Reese and Jordin Canada, the Dream survived a thrilling 101-98 overtime battle against the New York Liberty Wednesday night at State Farm Arena, taking a 2-0 lead in their best-of-five semifinal series.
It was a game filled with fouls, lead changes, clutch baskets, and moments that kept fans on their feet until the final buzzer.
Atlanta overcame a 35-point performance from New York’s Breanna Stewart, several late Liberty rallies, and the absence of injured leading scorer Allisha Gray.
“I think our team always rises to the occasion,” Reese said. “Our team is always fearless. We stayed together and played together, and that’s how we won it.”
No team in WNBA history has overcome a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-five playoff series. Atlanta will have its first opportunity to close out New York on Friday, when the series moves to the Liberty’s home court.
A Physical First Half Gives Way to a Thriller
The game was physical from the opening minutes, with officials calling 29 personal fouls in the first half alone.
Howard was whistled for four fouls before halftime, while Reese, Stewart, and New York’s Leonie Fiebich each collected three.
Stewart carried much of New York’s offense, scoring 25 points in the opening two quarters. Despite her performance, Atlanta took a 56-54 lead into halftime.
The Dream countered with balanced scoring.
By the middle of the third quarter, all five Atlanta starters had reached double figures. Rookie Isobel Borlase then connected on consecutive three-pointers, becoming the sixth Dream player to score at least 10 points.
Her shooting helped Atlanta build an eight-point advantage before New York narrowed the margin.
The Dream entered the fourth quarter leading 75-74.
Neither team was prepared to give ground.
A Shot That Wouldn’t Fall
With Atlanta leading by three and 31.2 seconds remaining in regulation, New York called timeout.
Stewart took the ball, drove past Reese, and scored a layup to cut the Dream’s lead to 86-85 with 26 seconds left.
Reese was fouled and calmly made both free throws, restoring Atlanta’s three-point advantage with 14.5 seconds remaining.
New York answered again.
Marine Fauthoux came off a screen and buried a three-pointer to tie the game at 88 with 10.3 seconds on the clock.
Atlanta had one final opportunity to win in regulation.
Howard drove into the lane and released a running jumper. The ball rolled around the circumference of the rim, appeared to pause, and then slipped out.
The crowd had to wait.
The game was going to overtime.
Hillmon Delivers When It Matters Most
Dream head coach Karl Smesko told his players to focus on being the better team over the final five minutes.
Veteran DeWanna Bonner reminded her teammates that the first team to score in overtime often wins.
Atlanta scored first, but the Liberty continued to respond.
A three-pointer by Jonquel Jones gave New York a 96-93 lead with 2:01 remaining, its first advantage since the second quarter.
Canada and Reese helped Atlanta regain the lead before Stewart drove through the lane for another basket, putting New York ahead 98-97 with 33 seconds remaining.
Then came the play that decided the game.
Howard controlled the ball near the top of the three-point arc. As the Liberty defense focused on her, Naz Hillmon slipped behind the defenders and cut toward the basket.
Howard delivered the pass.
Hillmon finished the layup.
Atlanta led 99-98 with 20.8 seconds remaining.
“It was great teamwork,” Smesko said.
The Dream’s defense then pressured Sabrina Ionescu into a difficult cross-court pass that sailed out of bounds.
Reese was fouled and converted two more free throws, extending Atlanta’s lead to 101-98.
Stewart’s final attempt missed.
After a physical game and a tense overtime finish, Atlanta finally had its victory.
A City Shows Up for Its Dream
The excitement surrounding the Dream extended well beyond the basketball court.
State Farm Arena welcomed 9,574 fans for a playoff contest that drew elected officials, entertainers, longtime supporters, and basketball enthusiasts eager to witness a potentially historic moment for the franchise.
Before the game, the Dream placed rally towels on every seat. Throughout the evening, fans waved them, cheered, and responded to nearly every basket.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens was seated near center court, where he was repeatedly seen enthusiastically cheering for the home team.
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, a Democratic candidate for Georgia governor, was also in attendance, wearing a red suit and joining the crowd in supporting the Dream.
Atlanta rapper and actor T.I., whose given name is Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., was among the notable attendees. Wearing a black Magic City sweatshirt, he joined other entertainment figures courtside.
The evening also featured an appearance by Atlanta entertainer Belly Gang Kushington, reflecting the connection between the city’s music community and its professional basketball team.
But the strongest voices came from the fans who have followed the Dream’s journey.
“The energy was there. Everyone showed up,” said Alexis Woodley. “Let’s finish it on Friday.”
Kirstie Potts traveled from Douglasville to support the Dream. She has signed up for a 27/7 Atlanta Dream season-ticket package and counts Bonner among her favorite players.
Potts believes Atlanta can win the championship.
“The Dream will go all the way,” she said.
She also had a message for fans who have yet to experience a Dream game in person.
“They are missing out. You gotta come out and support our team. This is the home team. You gotta be here, show up because they are showing out.”
Annie Edmonds, who attends games regularly but is not a season-ticket holder, has watched the franchise’s support grow.
“Attendance has been growing over the last few years,” Edmonds said. “They have the team to win the championship.”
For those who filled the arena, Wednesday’s victory was more than another playoff win. It was an opportunity to see their team move closer to a championship appearance.
A Team Effort Without Its Leading Scorer
Although Reese and Canada led the Dream with 23 points apiece, Atlanta’s victory reflected contributions throughout the lineup.
Howard scored 18 points, Hillmon added 12, Borlase finished with 11, and Bonner contributed 10.
Canada also handed out eight assists, while Hillmon collected eight rebounds and five assists.
Reese scored six of Atlanta’s 13 overtime points.
Smesko singled out Hillmon for the work that does not always attract attention.
“She does so much dirty work for us,” he said. “The defense was just exceptional. The extra possessions were exceptional. She played a ton of minutes and just was fantastic today.”
Her game-winning layup was the most visible contribution, but her rebounding, defense, and willingness to do the difficult work helped Atlanta withstand New York’s challenges.
The Dream also made the most of their defensive opportunities, forcing 17 turnovers and converting them into 28 points.
One Victory Remains
Atlanta will travel to New York for Game 3 on Friday with an opportunity to end the series and advance to the championship round.
The Dream have demonstrated that they can win without their leading scorer, withstand an exceptional performance by an opposing star, and execute under pressure when every possession matters.
Still, New York has no intention of conceding.
“The series isn’t over,” Liberty coach Chris DeMarco said.
Reese offered a similar reminder that the Dream cannot afford to look ahead.
“New York is a really good team,” she said. “As long as we continue to be who we are, continue to do the things that have gotten us here, and stick together, I think we will be fine.”
For the thousands of fans who waved their towels, cheered through overtime, and celebrated one of the Dream’s most dramatic playoff victories, the possibility of a WNBA championship appearance has moved closer.
Atlanta needs one more win.
Statistical sidebar — By the Numbers
WNBA SEMIFINALS · GAME 2
Atlanta Dream 101, New York Liberty 98 (OT)
Series lead
2–0
Attendance
9,574
Lead changes
17
| Dream player | PTS | REB | AST |
| Angel Reese | 23 | 7 | 2 |
| Jordin Canada | 23 | 5 | 8 |
| Rhyne Howard | 18 | 7 | 4 |
| Naz Hillmon | 12 | 8 | 5 |
| Isobel Borlase | 11 | 4 | — |
| DeWanna Bonner | 10 | 4 | 3 |
Three-point shooting
40%
Free-throw shooting
91.3%
Turnovers forced
17
Points off turnovers
28
Individual milestones: Canada reached 100 postseason assists; Howard surpassed 200 playoff points and moved into fourth place on Atlanta’s postseason steals list.
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