Dream beat Liberty in overtime to take 2-0 series lead

The Atlanta Dream beat the New York Liberty 101-98 in overtime Wednesday, taking a 2-0 lead in their best-of-five WNBA semifinal series and leaving New York facing elimination in Game 3. Atlanta’s Marine Fauthoux made a three-pointer with 9.9 seconds left in regulation to tie the game, and the teams went to overtime after Rhyne Howard’s potential game-winning attempt rolled off the rim. Fauthoux finished with 20 points, while Breanna Stewart scored 35 for New York, including 25 in the first half, according to the game account. The decisive moment came in the final seconds of overtime. With New York trailing by one, Jonquel Jones was forced into a jump ball after Atlanta defenders crowded her near the paint. The Liberty retained possession, but Sabrina Ionescu’s pass went out of bounds. Ionescu finished with 10 points and seven assists. The result followed Atlanta’s 92-82 victory in Game 1. Jordin Canada scored 25 points in that opener, a performance reported in multiple Game 2 previews. The Dream now lead 2-0 in the series. Atlanta and New York traded leads throughout Game 2, with 17 lead changes and eight ties.