The Atlanta Dream swept the New York Liberty in the WNBA semifinals, securing their first trip to the WNBA Finals since 2013.
Angel Reese and the Dream Clinch the Finals
After sitting at home and watching the championship round for the past two years, Angel Reese is headed to the league’s biggest stage. Reese, who was the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year, finished her closeout effort shooting 7-for-18 from the field and a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line in 37 minutes. The job isn’t done,
Reese said. Happy where we are right now.
Reese, who was traded to Atlanta in April after two seasons with the Chicago Sky, had been manifesting this moment for a year. During the regular season, she set WNBA records with 521 total rebounds, leading the league with 12.1 per game. Her teammate, 39-year-old veteran DeWanna Bonner, praised her impact on the team. She’s the motor,
Bonner said. She brings the umph.
Team Cohesion and Rebounding Drive Dream to Finals
The Dream’s success under head coach Karl Smesko has been built on a connected team culture. Smesko noted the importance of the team’s cohesion. We were able to make the last couple of plays and able to move onto the Finals,
Smesko said. The roster includes Naz Hillmon, as well as Allisha Gray and Jordin Canada.
The Dream’s semifinal opponent, the New York Liberty, struggled to contain Atlanta’s ball security and rebounding. Throughout the first two games of the series, Atlanta maintained a significant edge, recording 15 fewer turnovers and securing eight more offensive rebounds than the Liberty. While the Liberty’s core of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones made history earlier in the postseason as the first No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed, they could not overcome the Dream’s nine-game winning streak.
Physical Play Leads to Technical Fouls
The intensity of the series often boiled over on the court. During the second period of Game 3, Reese and Ionescu engaged in a verbal battle following a series of physical plays. Later, after Jonquel Jones blocked a shot by Reese, the two players bumped chests and traded words, resulting in technical fouls for both. This physical style of play was a hallmark of the matchup, as both teams fought for momentum.
Despite the high stakes, the Dream’s players remained focused on the goal of a championship. Reese noted that she treats every playoff game like it is win-or-go-home. Her preparation includes a strict routine; she shoots free throws after every practice, ensuring she hits 10 in a row to simulate late-game pressure. This commitment to detail helped the Dream win the tight Game 2, which ended in a 101-98 overtime victory, and eventually the closeout win in Game 3.
Looking Ahead to the Finals
The 2026 WNBA Finals will feature two teams seeking their first-ever championship. While the Dream lost in their only previous Finals appearance in 2013, the Golden State Valkyries, an expansion franchise that joined the league in 2025, are also making their debut on the sport’s biggest stage. The Valkyries secured their spot by sweeping the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, 87-77, in their own semifinal series.
As the league prepares for the Finals, discussions regarding the future of the WNBA continue, with potential commissioner candidates such as Nneka Ogwumike, Jess Smith, and Bethany Donaphin being evaluated for the league’s next leadership phase. For the players on the floor, however, the focus is entirely on the upcoming series. A championship would mean everything to me,
Reese said, and we’re not done yet.