Atlanta Dream Reach WNBA Finals After Sweeping New York

The Atlanta Dream swept the New York Liberty in the WNBA semifinals, advancing to the Finals for the first time since 2013. Atlanta is set to face the Golden State Valkyries in a best-of-seven series beginning October 17, with Angel Reese a central contributor to the team’s postseason run. Reese scored 22 points and added nine rebounds and three assists in Friday’s 85-83 win that completed the sweep. Atlanta won the three-game semifinal series without a loss. Reese was named the 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first Dream player to receive the award, according to reports. The Finals appearance follows Reese’s move to Atlanta from the Chicago Sky. She had publicly expressed a desire to reach the championship series after watching the Finals from home in the previous season. In the semifinals, she averaged 20.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, according to one account. Another reported averages of 20 points and seven rebounds, figures consistent with rounding. After Friday’s clinching game, Reese said the team was happy with its progress but not satisfied, adding that its work was not finished.