Full Breakdown
Atlanta Dream Overtime Victory Gives 2-0 Lead Over New York Liberty
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Dream Edge Liberty in Overtime
In the second semifinal game of the 2026 WNBA playoffs, the Atlanta Dream defeated the New York Liberty 101-98 in overtime, extending the series lead to 2-0. Angel Reese contributed 23 points, including six in the extra period, and sank two decisive free throws with 4.3 seconds remaining. Naz Hillmon’s layup with 20.8 seconds left secured the final lead. Jordin Canada matched Reese with 23 points and eight assists, while Rhyne Howard added 18 points. The Liberty’s Breanna Stewart scored 35 points but missed a last-second three-pointer after a disputed timeout situation.
Background & Context
The Dream entered the series with a 92-82 win in Game 1, seeking their first Finals appearance since 2013. New York, the 2022 champion, aimed to avoid a 0-2 deficit that has never been overturned in a best-of-five semifinal. The matchup featured 17 lead changes and eight ties, highlighting the tightly contested nature of the series.
Key Figures & Groups
- Angel Reese — Atlanta Dream forward, Defensive Player of the Year, 23 points
- Jordin Canada — Atlanta Dream guard, 23 points, eight assists
- Naz Hillmon — Atlanta Dream forward, go-ahead layup
- Breanna Stewart — New York Liberty forward, 35 points
- Karl Smesko — Atlanta Dream head coach
- Fatou Cissoko-Stephens — WNBA crew chief
Data & Statistics
- Total points: Atlanta 101, New York 98.
- Overtime scoring: Atlanta 5-0 start, Liberty answered with eight before Atlanta reclaimed the lead.
- Fouls: 29 in the first half (34 free throws) versus 14 in the second half and overtime (16 free throws).
- Lead changes: 17; ties: eight.
- Rebounds: Reese recorded seven; Stewart grabbed 11.
- Turnovers: Atlanta forced 32 turnovers, tying an all-time playoff record.
Official Statements & Responses
Crew chief Fatou Cissoko-Stephens clarified that officials confirmed New York possessed a reset timeout during the final sequence, contradicting the Liberty’s understanding.
Criticism & Opposition
Breanna Stewart said referees told the Liberty they had no reset timeout, forcing a rushed final possession. The crew chief’s rebuttal highlighted a communication mismatch, suggesting officials’ information differed from the players’ perception.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- (attributed to Cissoko-Stephens)
The two accounts present an unresolved discrepancy regarding whether the Liberty were correctly informed about their timeout status in the final seconds of overtime.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I think we did a great job making sure that we were all on the connected stream,” — Angel Reese
- “This is not blaming the refs, but when I ask both refs if we have a reset timeout and they tell us 'no,' and then we leave the game with a reset timeout, it's pretty frustrating,” — Breanna Stewart
- “Stewart was standing behind referee Fahy when he confirmed with his partner between Reese's penalty free throws that New York did indeed have its reset timeout remaining,” — Fatou Cissoko-Stephens, the crew chief
What’s Next
Game 3 is scheduled for Friday in New York. The Liberty must win to avoid elimination, while the Dream will look to close the series and secure a berth in the WNBA Finals.