Angel Reese Leads Dream to First WNBA Finals in 13 Years
Angel Reese leads the Atlanta Dream past the New York Liberty in a semifinal sweep, securing their first WNBA Finals since 2013.
The Atlanta Dream have returned to the WNBA Finals after sweeping the New York Liberty, marking their first championship appearance in 13 years. Led by Angel Reese and Rhyne Howard, the Dream defeated New York 85-83 on Friday night at Barclays Center. Reese contributed a team-high 22 points, while Howard added 21. Jordin Canada also put up a strong performance with 19 points and 11 assists.
The Dream entered the semifinals with a 2-0 series lead, having won Games 1 and 2 in overtime. New York, led by Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones, fought back after halftime, but the Dream's defense held strong in the fourth quarter, limiting New York to just 15 points. Stewart missed a crucial layup with nine seconds left, giving Atlanta the victory.
DeWanna Bonner sealed the win with two free throws. This victory marks Atlanta's fourth trip to the Finals, with their previous trips coming in 2010, 2011, and 2013, though they all fell short. The Dream will now face the winner of the semifinal series between the Las Vegas Aces and the Golden State Valkyries in the championship round on Oct. 17.
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