Atlanta Dream Lock Up No. 4 Seed and Home Court Advantage | Takes Down Liberty 83-65
To understand where the Atlanta Dream are headed as the postseason arrives, look no further than the second quarter at Barclays Center on Wednesday night.
In a hostile road environment against the New York Liberty, Atlanta didn’t just assert its dominance it threw a complete lock on the basket. By holding New York to a staggering seven points in the second frame, the Dream set the tempo, controlled the interior, and suffocated the Liberty's offense route to a decisive 83-65 victory in Game 44.
The win carries massive implications. With the regular-season sweep of Brooklyn complete, Atlanta officially clinched the No. 4 seed in the WNBA Playoffs, securing home-court advantage for their postseason opener this coming Sunday. The victory also marked the Dream’s 30th win of the campaigner cording back-to-back 30-win seasons for the franchise.
A Smothering Second Quarter Sets the Tone
The night opened as a tight, physical clash. New York edged ahead 19-18 after the opening 10 minutes, utilizing crisp ball movement to counter Atlanta’s aggressive perimeter pressure.
Then came the turning point.
Whatever adjustments head coach and staff made between quarters paid off instantly. Behind 12 total steals and a relentless team effort on the defensive end, the Dream forced 20 Liberty turnovers on the night, turning those mistakes directly into 15 transition points. Atlanta turned the screws in the second quarter, completely stifling Brooklyn's rhythm and outscoring the Liberty 23-7 to take a commanding 41-26 lead into halftime.
New York attempted to mount a response in the second half, but every burst was met by a steady, methodical reply from Atlanta’s high-performing starting five of Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon, and Angel Reese a combination that improved to an impressive 30-8 on the year.
Gray’s Stellar Play Continues
Offensively, the night belonged once again to Allisha Gray. Operating with effortless efficiency, Gray paced all scorers with a game-high 24 points, adding 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and a block to her stat line. It marked Gray’s 21st game of 20+ points this season, solidifying her status as one of the league’s most consistent dynamic scoring threats heading into October.
Gray was far from alone in fueling the offense:
Naz Hillmon provided a strong paint presence, pouring in 16 points along with 4 rebounds and 2 assists.
Jordin Canada orchestrated the backcourt with composure, contributing 12 points, 5 assists, and key defensive containment.
DeWanna Bonner anchored the boards, securing a team-high 8 rebounds alongside 9 points.
Rhyne Howard showcased her elite playmaking vision, dishing out a game-high 6 assists while adding 8 points and 2 steals.
Angel Reese disrupted lanes all night, filling the sheet with 6 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals.
Beyond the starters, Atlanta took full advantage of the charity stripe, shooting a crisp 86.7% from the free-throw line to prevent any hopes of a Brooklyn comeback late in the fourth quarter.
Looking Ahead: Playoff Basketball Arrives Sunday
The victory pushes Atlanta’s all-time record against the Liberty to 27-42 (14-20 on the road), but more importantly, it establishes momentum at the exact right moment.
With the regular season in the books and the No. 4 seed officially locked in, the Dream now await the final results of Thursday night’s league action to learn their first-round opponent. Regardless of who makes the trip to Atlanta, one thing is clear: if the Dream replicate the defensive intensity and balanced execution showcased in Brooklyn, they will be an exceptionally tough out in the quest for a title.
Playoff action tips off Sunday at home this Sunday Sep 27, 2026.