Full Breakdown
Liberty Extend Winning Streak, Defeat Dream 104-90 in Commissioner's Cup
6/13/2026, 12:38:23 AM
Commissioner's Cup Showdown
On June 11, 2026, at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia, the New York Liberty beat the Atlanta Dream 104-90, marking the Liberty’s sixth straight victory and a pivotal game in the Commissioner's Cup.
Key Performances & Statistics
Breanna Stewart posted a double-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Satú Sabally added 19 points on 5-of-6 three-point shooting, while Jonquel Jones contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds. Marine Johannes scored 17, and Pauline Astier hit a half-court buzzer-beater for 16. For Atlanta, Angel Reese recorded a season-high 25 points and nine rebounds; Rhyne Howard added 24 points, and Allisha Gray 18. The Liberty shot 54 % overall, 16-of-31 from three (51.6 %) and 24-of-28 from the line (86 %). The Dream shot 31 % from three and 15-of-27 free throws (56 %). New York outrebounded Atlanta 40-24 and forced 19 turnovers.
Season Context
Both clubs entered the contest at 8-4. The Liberty had already compiled a five-game winning streak despite the absence of guard Sabrina Ionescu, while the Dream, after a rapid rise from a 15-25 record two seasons earlier, were 8-3 before the loss.
On-Court Highlights
Liberty’s five players scored at least 16 points—a franchise first—while Sabally’s five triples propelled the team’s three-point surge. Astier’s half-court three before halftime extended the lead. In the fourth quarter, a coach’s challenge overturned Reese’s layup, charging an offensive foul and a technical, shifting momentum back to New York.
Official Statements & Responses
Dream coach Smesko called the overturned call “a setback,” noting the loss of two points, a missed free throw, and the resulting shift in possession. He also praised the Liberty’s shooting, noting that they shot over 50 % from three and 86 % from the line.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts highlighted the Dream’s limited depth beyond four scorers and Reese’s league-high turnover rate (second only to Caitlin Clark) as vulnerabilities that the Liberty exploited.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We had some goals coming into the fourth quarter, we were going to get it down to eight by the four-minute mark,” Smesko said.
- “You can only control what you can control,” Reese said.
- “I really wanted this one bad because I knew how much it meant for our standings in the Commissioner's Cup,” Reese added.
- “I know I kind of had a slow start, especially from the free throw line, so I was getting in my head a little bit because I just want to help Rhy and Angel out so bad and just relieve pressure from them,” Gray said.
Why It Matters
The victory cemented New York’s league-best streak and improved its Commissioner's Cup positioning, while Atlanta’s loss exposed depth and execution issues that could affect its playoff prospects.
What’s Next
The Liberty host Washington on Sunday, and the Dream travel to Toronto for their next matchup.
