The Atlanta Dream seized control of their WNBA semifinal series Sunday, riding a second-half defensive surge and strong contributions from Jordin Canada and DeWanna Bonner to a 92-82 win over the New York Liberty in Game 1 at State Farm Arena.
We interviewed fans outside the stadium who said they feel this cups be the Dream’s season. “I can see a championship with this group,” said Tonya Allen, who drove from Lilnirncto see the Dream play.
Atlanta Dream Take Game 1 Vs. Liberty
The No. 4-seeded Dream, who entered on an eight-game winning streak, trailed 40-37 at halftime before exploding for a 32-15 third quarter. They forced 21 Liberty turnovers overall and converted them into 32 points, including 16 in that decisive period—tied for a WNBA playoff record for points off turnovers in a single quarter. Atlanta never relinquished the lead after a 13-3 run to open the second half and now leads the best-of-five series 1-0. Game 2 is Wednesday in Atlanta.
Canada scored 20 of her 25 points after the break, adding five steals and four assists on 9-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-6 from three. Bonner provided 23 points and nine rebounds off the bench, helping fill the void after All-Star Allisha Gray left in the second quarter with a left-hand injury. Gray’s status for the rest of the series is unclear. Angel Reese, the league’s Defensive Player of the Year, added 17 points, seven rebounds, four steals, and three blocks, while Rhyne Howard posted 16 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists.
The Liberty, the No. 8 seed that had just become the first eighth seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed by upsetting the Minnesota Lynx, were led by Sabrina Ionescu’s 27 points. Breanna Stewart scored 19, and Jonquel Jones finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds. New York cut a 16-point deficit to five late, but Canada’s clutch three-pointer near the shot-clock buzzer and a transition layup off a stop sealed the result.
“I thought we had a great third quarter,” Dream coach Karl Smesko said. The win was Atlanta’s first in the semifinal round since 2018 and extended the franchise’s longest streak of double-digit playoff victories. The Dream won the regular-season series 2-1, but the postseason has already tested their depth with Gray sidelined. For the Liberty, the turnover issues that plagued stretches against Minnesota resurfaced against a Dream defense that has been among the league’s stingiest.
Series schedule continues with Game 2 in Atlanta on Wednesday, then shifts to New York for Game 3 on October 9.
