Atlanta Secures Playoff Seed
Atlanta Dream secure No. 4 WNBA playoff seed with victory over New York Liberty.
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Key Points
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Angel Reese’s foul on Sabrina Ionescu with 5.6 seconds left in the second quarter was upgraded to a flagrant 1, and Reese made both free throws before leaving for the locker room.
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Atlanta scored 15 points off New York’s 20 turnovers, finished with 25 assists and led by as many as 20 points, highlighting the Dream’s defensive pressure and ball movement.
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The Liberty’s pregame events included unveiling their 2026 Commissioner’s Cup banner and a brief retirement ceremony for Rebecca Allen, who is playing her final season after three stints with New York.
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The loss also finalized Dallas as the No. 7 seed, while Minnesota had already clinched the No. 1 seed; all four first-round playoff games were scheduled to begin Sunday.
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In Atlanta’s earlier 95-84 victory over New York, Jordin Canada posted 19 points and nine assists, DeWanna Bonner scored 17 off the bench, and Canada became the fourth player in WNBA history to record 300 assists in a season.
The Atlanta Dream clinched the No. 4 seed in the 2026 WNBA playoffs with an dominant 83-65 victory over the New York Liberty on Wednesday. CBS Sports reported that Allisha Gray led Atlanta with 24 points while Naz Hillmon added 16. The Dream built a commanding 41-26 halftime lead and will have home-court advantage in the opening round.
Angel Reese left the game early after an accidental hit to the face from Sabrina Ionescu in the second quarter. ClutchPoints noted that the contact was upgraded to a flagrant 1 foul. Despite the injury, Reese finished with six points and six rebounds. The victory caps a franchise-best regular season for Atlanta and sends New York to the No. 8 seed.
Dream's Defensive Dominance Decides Playoff Positioning
Atlanta's defense smothered New York throughout the contest. ESPN reported that the Dream scored 15 points off the Liberty's 20 turnovers and led by as many as 20 points in the game. Atlanta finished with 25 assists, showcasing sharp ball movement and execution on offense.
The Liberty struggled without key contributors. Breanna Stewart did not play due to injury, and Jonquel Jones departed the game with an ankle injury that limited New York's interior presence and defensive flexibility throughout the matchup.
Angel Reese's Injury Overshadows Strong Regular Season
Reese's exit dampened Atlanta's celebration despite her impressive season. Leader Telegraph reported that the contact with Ionescu was ruled a flagrant 1 with 5.6 seconds left in the second quarter. Reese made both free throws before heading to the locker room. She finished with six points and six rebounds in limited action.
Before Wednesday's game, Reese had recorded her 31st double-double of the season against Chicago and achieved a franchise record with 500 rebounds. That performance showcased her elite rebounding consistency throughout Atlanta's best regular season ever.
Liberty Face Minnesota as Playoff Bracket Solidifies
New York's eighth seed means a first-round matchup against the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx. ESPN stated that all eight playoff spots have been determined, with Dallas clinching the No. 7 seed. Atlanta will face either Indiana or Washington in their opening round series starting Sunday.
The Liberty held a pregame ceremony honoring Rebecca Allen, who is playing her final season after three separate stints with New York. The team also unveiled its 2026 Commissioner's Cup banner before tip-off at Barclays Center.
Earlier Victory Showed Dream's Balanced Offensive Attack
Atlanta's earlier 95-84 win over New York demonstrated the Dream's depth and playmaking. CBS Sports reported that Jordin Canada posted 19 points and nine assists while DeWanna Bonner scored 17 points off the bench. Canada became the fourth player in WNBA history to record 300 assists in a single season.
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