State Farm Arena / Gateway Center Arena, Atlanta / College Park, Georgia
Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
The Atlanta Dream lead the best-of-five semifinal series 1-0 after a 92-82 Game 1 win on Sunday. New York, the No. 8 seed that swept the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in the first round, looks to even the series on the road.
Current Player Rosters / Key Contributors
New York Liberty (core expected): Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, Leonie Fiebich, Pauline Astier / Rebecca Allen, with depth including Rebekah Gardner, Han Xu, and others.
Atlanta Dream (core expected): Jordin Canada, Rhyne Howard, Angel Reese, DeWanna Bonner, Naz Hillmon, with supporting pieces such as Te-Hina Paopao, Isobel Borlase, and others. Allisha Gray’s status is the major question mark.
Injury Reports
Liberty: Satou Sabally (head injury, out for the season). Other potential day-to-day concerns (e.g., illness or minor issues for depth players) but core stars available.
Dream: Allisha Gray (left hand/fingers, day-to-day; exited Game 1 and did not return after aggravating the injury—status for Game 2 uncertain and a key storyline). Brionna Jones (leg, out for the season).
Recent Team Forms
Dream: Strong regular-season finish (30-14 overall) and riding an eight-game winning streak into the playoffs. Dominated the second half of Game 1 with elite defense (forcing 21 turnovers, converting into 32 points) and balanced scoring (Canada 25 points, Bonner 23, Reese 17). First-round sweep of Washington.
Liberty: 26-18 regular season; impressive first-round sweep of Minnesota. Struggled with turnovers and a sluggish third quarter in Game 1 (outscored 32-15). Sabrina Ionescu led with 27 points; Breanna Stewart added 19. Looking to tighten ball security and regain offensive rhythm.
Series History
Atlanta won the 2026 regular-season series 2-1 (New York took the June meeting in Atlanta; Dream swept the late-September games in Brooklyn). In the playoffs, Atlanta took Game 1 convincingly at home. Recent meetings have favored the Dream’s defensive intensity and transition play.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Sabrina Ionescu / Breanna Stewart vs. Jordin Canada / Rhyne Howard: New York’s star duo must limit turnovers against Atlanta’s aggressive perimeter defense and create efficient looks. Canada’s scoring and steals (5 in Game 1) were pivotal.
Jonquel Jones / Leonie Fiebich vs. Angel Reese / Naz Hillmon / DeWanna Bonner: Interior battle—Reese’s rebounding and physicality vs. Jones’ versatility and rim protection. Bonner’s scoring off the bench filled Gray’s void effectively.
Ball pressure and transition: Dream thrive on forcing turnovers and scoring in the open floor; Liberty must improve care of the ball and half-court execution.
Depth and adjustments: Potential increased minutes for Bonner/Paopao if Gray is limited or out.
Betting Trends
Atlanta enters with momentum, home-court energy, and defensive identity. New York has championship experience and star power but must clean up turnovers. Gray’s availability is the biggest swing factor—if she plays limited or sits, New York’s path improves slightly.
GAME ODDS
New York Liberty 170.5
Atlanta Dream – 2.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, October 6, 2026
