The Atlanta Dream opened the WNBA semifinals with a statement victory Sunday, overcoming a three-point halftime deficit to defeat the New York Liberty 92-82 at State Farm Arena and take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series. New York led 40-37 at halftime, but Atlanta completely flipped the game after intermission, outscoring the Liberty 32-15 in the third quarter. The Dream's defense forced 21 New York turnovers and converted them into 32 points, tying a WNBA playoff record for points off turnovers.
Jordin Canada was the catalyst, finishing with a game-high 25 points, five steals and four assists while shooting 9-of-14 from the field and making four 3-pointers. DeWanna Bonner added a season-high 23 points and nine rebounds, giving Atlanta the veteran scoring it needed after Allisha Gray left in the first half with a left-hand injury. Angel Reese added 17 points, seven rebounds, four steals and three blocks, while Rhyne Howard played all 40 minutes and contributed 16 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
The Dream's third-quarter explosion transformed the game. Atlanta scored 32 points in the period while holding New York to 15, turning a 40-37 deficit into a 69-55 advantage entering the fourth. The Liberty repeatedly tried to close the gap, but Canada answered with two critical 3-pointers before finishing the game with a driving layup that restored Atlanta's 10-point margin. New York was led by Sabrina Ionescu's 27 points, while Breanna Stewart scored 19 and Jonquel Jones posted 12 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks.
The victory gives Atlanta an early 1-0 advantage and continues a remarkable postseason run for a Dream team that finished fourth in the regular season. It also puts additional attention on Gray's status moving forward after she played only 11 minutes. Dream head coach Karl Smesko praised Bonner's versatility and veteran presence afterward, while Canada emphasized Atlanta's composure and ability to manage the Liberty's runs. Game 2 is next in Atlanta as the Dream attempt to protect home court and move within one victory of the WNBA Finals
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