Atlanta Dream sweep New York Liberty, reach WNBA Finals

sportsOct 9, 202638770

The Atlanta Dream defeated the New York Liberty 85-83 in Game 3 to complete a 3-0 semifinal sweep and reach the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2013. Angel Reese, who was this season’s Defensive Player of the Year after arriving in Atlanta via trade, scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the clincher. Atlanta, the fourth seed, has not lost in the postseason this year and had not reached the semifinals since 2018. Allisha Gray, the team’s leading scorer, was sidelined with a finger injury and was ruled out about an hour before tipoff. Atlanta led 83-81 with 17.7 seconds remaining; Breanna Stewart missed a contested layup with nine seconds left and DeWanna Bonner hit two free throws with 6.2 seconds to seal the win. The Dream will face the winner of the Las Vegas, Golden State series when the WNBA Finals begin Saturday, Oct. 17.

Ricky O'Donnell

@rickyodonn.bsky.social

Angel Reese is the best player on a team going to the WNBA Finals. Also DPOY. Haven't written many pieces that have aged better than this one.

2459h ago

Nick1

She's so fun to watch. Glad she got off the Sky and to a legit team.

Lee Foltin1

That trade could go down as one of the worst in sports history. Simply unforgivable.

planetartest.bsky.social1

You were on it! And so interesting to see this play out. I always thought she was a good player, but with fatal flaws that would keep her from being key person on a great team. Dream showing what you can do with a well-constructed roster and an identity! Good for Angel Reese.

Sean Vinsel (unspooky, pleasant)1

Need a new Ricky Charisma series turning around the Sky.

Mo1

Lucky for her, Chicago is so mismanaged that they traded her away for a couple late first round picks to a championship contender

Quoting this

Black.Metronome 🇧🇧 🇧🇲7

If the Dream win the entire thing, Angel will be first ballot HoF for me personally based on her resume. She's one of the best two way front court players I've ever seen hoop. #wnba

David Naylor2

This right after Miles got second in the MVP as a rookie too. Generational incompetence.

Alexa Philippou

@alexaphilippou.bsky.social

The Atlanta Dream are heading to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2013 following a semifinal sweep of the New York Liberty. The quest for their first-ever championship remains alive. ATL has won 10 straight dating back to the regular season

889h ago

Dee Phunk

@deephunk.bsky.social

I just want to remind everyone that the Chicago Sky traded Angel Reese away only for her to win DPOY and take the Atlanta Dream to the WNBA Finals by SWEEPING the Liberty. That’s cold work, man.

609h ago

becky hammon’s crucifix

@real-point-god.bsky.social

YOUR DPOY BARBIE SHALL PROPHECY. YOUR SUPER CUTE BESTIE FAVES SHALL SEE VISIONS. YOUR OLDHEAD SHALL DREAM DREAMS. -The foretold victory of the Atlanta Dream, spoken in Acts 2:17 #WNBA

419h ago

Steve Jones

@stevejones20.bsky.social

Great series. Credit to the Atlanta Dream for playing that level of defense and continuing to work to find a way on offense. The work on the journey brought them here.

399h ago

Her Hoop Stats

@herhoopstats.com

Congratulations to the Atlanta Dream on punching their ticket to the Finals! An incredible performance by Jordin Canada - she had 11 assists without a single turnover. Only Sue Bird (2022), Diana Taurasi (2018), and Cynthia Cooper (1999) have had more assists without a TOV in a playoff game.

269h ago

Quoting this

Nanjala8

Respect my [expletive] point guard!! #wnba

Marisa Ingemi

@mingemi.bsky.social

Atlanta just swept New York, so winner of the Aces - Valkyries series will face the Dream in the WNBA Finals

289h ago

Lalli

@alalli89.bsky.social

Huh, apparently it isn’t that hard to get to the WNBA finals in your 3rd season 🤷🏻‍♂️

249h ago

Storm Chasers

@wnbastormchasers.bsky.social

I had this to say about the Atlanta Dream when I wrote this article on September 26th. All of this has come true and the Atlanta Dream are now headed to the #WNBA Finals after sweeping the New York Liberty (3-0) and winning Game 3 by a score of 85-83.