The Atlanta Dream are two wins away from reaching the WNBA Finals after beating the New York Liberty in Game 1 on Monday, 92,82, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Will the Dream go up 2-0? Or, will the Liberty tie the series up before heading to Brooklyn for Game 3?

Catch this game live on Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 9:30 AM, Manila time

Away: New York Liberty (0-1)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Sabrina Ionescu
  • Leonie Fiebich
  • Marine Johannes
  • Satou Sabally
  • Breanna Stewart

New York is not a team to underestimate, and it will look to show why amid its current situation. With their backs against the wall, the Liberty aim to get back at Atlanta after their loss in the series opener. 

This team knocked out (SWEPT) the best team in the regular season, eliminating the Minnesota Lynx in the first round and winning by a 32-point margin. 

It was the Liberty’s brutal ball security that doomed them in Game 1, and that’s something they have to address right away. 

In the series opener, New York turned the ball over 21 times, as the Dream converted those miscues into 32 points. Conversely, Atlanta had 14 turnovers turned into just 14 points by the Liberty. The good news for New York is that that issue can be fixed.

New York is 6-4 against the spread in its last 10 games.

Home: Atlanta Dream (1-0)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Allisha Gray (Questionable/Doubtful)
  • Jordin Canada
  • Naz Hillmon
  • Rhyne Howard
  • Angel Reese

The Dream are still undefeated in the playoffs. After sweeping the Washington Mystics in two games with relative ease in the first round, Angel Reese and company walloped the New York Liberty in Game 1 of this semis series. Despite losing Allisha Gray to a hand injury, Atlanta got away with a win, thanks in large part to the production of Jordin Canada, who went off for 25 points. 

But veteran DeWanna Bonner also showed her worth, as she came off the bench and fired 23 important points to go with nine rebounds and two steals. Gray could potentially sit out Game 2, so the Dream will look for the others to step up. 

Meanwhile, Angel Reese had 17 points and only seven rebounds in Game 1 for the Dream, who are 8-0 against the spread in their last eight games dating back to the regular season.

Picks

Spread: New York Liberty (+3.0)

Over/Under: Under (172.0)