Atlanta Dream Turn Up the Defensive Pressure to Take Game 1 Over New York Liberty | 82-92

DeWanna Bonner delivers a postseason-high 23 points with the Dream as Atlanta takes a 1-0 lead in the semifinals.

ATLANTA — For the Atlanta Dream, Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals was a reminder that playoff basketball is about more than making shots. It is about creating pressure, forcing mistakes, and knowing when to take control of the moment.

Against the New York Liberty on Sunday, October 4, the Dream found that moment in the third quarter.

After going into halftime trailing 40-37, Atlanta came out of the break with a different level of intensity. The defensive pressure picked up, the turnovers started piling up for New York, and the Dream turned a three-point deficit into a double-digit lead on their way to a 92-82 victory at State Farm Arena.

With the win, Atlanta takes a 1-0 lead in the semifinal series and improves its all-time postseason record against New York to 3-2.

But the final score only tells part of the story. The Dream won this game by making life uncomfortable for the Liberty and turning their mistakes into opportunities on the other end.

The Third Quarter Changed Everything

For much of the first half, neither team could create much separation. New York carried a three-point lead into the locker room, and Atlanta still had work to do to find its rhythm.

Then came the third quarter.

The Dream outscored the Liberty 32-15 in those 10 minutes, flipping the game with the kind of defensive effort that can change the direction of a postseason series. Atlanta attacked passing lanes, disrupted New York's possessions, and made the Liberty work for nearly everything they wanted offensively.

The result was a 14-point Atlanta lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The Dream shot 70.6% from the field in the third, connecting on 12 of 17 attempts. They also scored 18 points in the paint and added 11 fast-break points, taking advantage of the opportunities their defense created.

New York, meanwhile, struggled to maintain possession. The Liberty committed nine turnovers in the quarter alone, and Atlanta converted those mistakes into 16 points.

That was the difference. The Dream did not simply wait for their offense to get going. They created the opportunities themselves.

Jordin Canada Set the Tone

When Atlanta needed someone to apply pressure, Jordin Canada answered.

Canada finished with a game-high 25 points, four assists, and five steals, putting together a performance that reflected both her scoring ability and the defensive identity Atlanta brought to the floor.

Her impact was especially noticeable in the third quarter, when she scored 12 points and recorded three steals. Every possession became an opportunity to disrupt New York's rhythm, and Canada helped turn that pressure into momentum.

Her five steals tied the WNBA postseason record for the most steals in a single playoff game. She also reached 200 career postseason points during the contest.

Canada's performance was about more than the numbers. She helped Atlanta dictate the pace, put pressure on New York's ballhandlers, and give the Dream the extra possessions they needed to pull away.

When a team can turn defensive stops into transition opportunities, it becomes difficult for an opponent to settle into its offense. Canada helped make that happen.

DeWanna Bonner Delivers a Big Night

While Canada's pressure helped change the game, DeWanna Bonner gave Atlanta a steady scoring presence when it needed one.

Bonner finished with 23 points on 10-of-18 shooting, adding nine rebounds and two steals. Her scoring total marked a personal postseason high with the Dream.

She was productive from the opening quarter, scoring seven points in the first and helping Atlanta remain within striking distance while New York held the early advantage.

Bonner continued to find her opportunities as the game progressed, finishing with 11 points in the second half. Her ability to score from different areas of the floor gave Atlanta another option as the Liberty tried to slow down Canada's attack.

In a playoff game where momentum can shift quickly, Bonner's production was important. She gave the Dream another reliable scorer and helped ensure that the offense did not depend on one player to carry the load.

Angel Reese Makes Her Presence Felt

Angel Reese finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, four steals, and three blocks, making her presence felt on both ends of the floor.

Her defensive activity was particularly important in a game where Atlanta's ability to disrupt New York became the defining factor. Reese recorded three of her four steals in the third quarter, helping fuel the Dream's decisive run.

She also contributed on the offensive end, shooting 6-of-10 from the field and knocking down a three-pointer. Her activity around the basket and willingness to make plays helped Atlanta maintain its edge as the game opened up.

Reese's performance fit the larger picture of what Atlanta accomplished. This was a team effort built on creating problems for the Liberty, and she was one of several players who helped make that possible.

Rhyne Howard added 16 points and eight assists, while Allisha Gray contributed seven points before leaving the game after 10 minutes of action. Together, the Dream's starters helped establish the foundation for a win that ultimately came down to execution and defensive intensity.

Atlanta's Defense Told the Story

The numbers behind Atlanta's defensive effort are difficult to ignore.

The Dream forced 21 New York turnovers and scored 32 points off those mistakes, tying the WNBA postseason record for the most points off turnovers. Atlanta also recorded 14 steals and four blocks.

That combination put constant pressure on the Liberty and made it difficult for them to find consistent offensive rhythm.

New York still had individual performances to build on. Sabrina Ionescu led the Liberty with 27 points, while Breanna Stewart added 19 and Jonquel Jones finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

But Atlanta's collective defensive effort proved to be the difference. The Dream scored 18 fast-break points compared with none for New York, and they held a lead of as many as 16 points.

Atlanta also received 27 points from its bench, giving the team valuable contributions beyond its starting group. In a postseason matchup against an experienced opponent, that added production can matter just as much as a big scoring night from a star.

One Win Down, More Work Ahead

The Dream have now opened the semifinal series with a win, but the challenge is far from over.

New York showed in the first half that it can compete with Atlanta, and Ionescu's 27-point performance is a reminder of the offensive firepower the Liberty bring into the matchup.

For Atlanta, the challenge moving forward will be sustaining the defensive intensity that changed Game 1. The third-quarter surge demonstrated what the Dream can do when they force turnovers, run the floor, and turn stops into scoring opportunities.

The win also continues a strong postseason run for a starting five of Canada, Gray, Howard, Naz Hillmon, and Reese, which improved to 3-0 in playoff games together.

Sunday's result was not just about one player having a big night. It was about a team finding its identity when the stakes were high and using that identity to take control.

Bonner supplied the scoring. Canada applied the pressure. Reese made plays on both ends. Howard helped facilitate the offense, and Atlanta's defensive effort brought everything together.

The Dream have their first win of the semifinals. If Game 1 is any indication, their defense will be central to how far they go.

Atlanta made its statement in the third quarter. Now the Dream will look to carry that same energy into the next chapter of the series.