Full Breakdown
Angel Reese Leads Atlanta Dream to First WNBA Finals Appearance Since 2013
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Dream Secures Finals Berth in Overtime Thriller
On October 8, 2026, the Atlanta Dream clinched a spot in the WNBA Finals with an 101-98 overtime win over the New York Liberty in Game 2 of the semifinal series. Angel Reese posted a team-high 22 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal while shooting 7-for-18 from the field and perfect from the line (6-for-6). The victory completed a three-game sweep, giving Atlanta a 2-0 series lead and a chance to become the first team in franchise history to win a championship.
Background & Context
The Dream entered the 2026 postseason without Allisha Gray, who missed her second straight playoff game with a left-hand injury. The team’s resurgence follows the April 2026 trade that sent Reese from the Chicago Sky to Atlanta in exchange for two first-round picks. Reese, the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year, had previously set single-season franchise records for rebounds and double-doubles. The Dream, coached by Karl Smesko, had reached the Finals three times (2010, 2011, 2013) but were swept each time.
Data & Statistics
- Angel Reese: 22 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal; 7-of-18 FG, 2-of-4 3PT, 6-of-6 FT.
- Jordin Canada: 19 points, 11 assists, 0 turnovers.
- Rhyne Howard: 21 points, 4 three-pointers, 7 rebounds.
- DeWanna Bonner: 13 points, 13 rebounds.
- Naz Hillmon: go-ahead layup with 20.8 seconds left in overtime.
- New York Liberty: Breanna Stewart 26 points, Jonquel Jones 26 points, 14 rebounds, 3 blocks.
The Dream made 12 of 30 three-point attempts and 21 of 23 free throws. They are now 13-0 in games where Reese scores from beyond the arc, according to ESPN Insights.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I think we did a great job making sure that we were all on the connected stream,” — Angel Reese
- “I manifested this. When I came to Atlanta, I knew what I was getting,” — Angel Reese
- “We brought in Angel (Reese), dog. We're going to follow her. She's going to follow us,” — Rhyne Howard
- “I have my highs and my lows. It'll definitely get to a moment like that where I'm on my high and then I'll come to the bench and be like, 'Manage our emotions,' and the team is looking like, 'You saying that?'” — Angel Reese
What’s Next
The Dream will open the best-of-seven WNBA Finals on October 17 against either the Golden State Valkyries or the defending champion Las Vegas Aces. The series will determine whether Atlanta can finally convert its semifinal success into a championship title.