FINALS BOUND! Atlanta Dream Sweep Liberty, Return to WNBA Finals for First Time Since 2013

The wait is finally over! After 13 years, the Atlanta Dream are headed back to the WNBA Finals, and this time, they’re looking to finish what previous Dream teams started.

Atlanta completed a 3-0 sweep of the New York Liberty in the WNBA Semifinals, securing the franchise’s fourth Finals appearance and its first since 2013. The historic playoff run has given Atlanta fans plenty to celebrate as the Dream move one step closer to capturing their first WNBA championship.

For a team that has battled through the regular season and continued to rise to the occasion in the playoffs, reaching the Finals represents more than another postseason milestone. It’s an opportunity to create a new chapter in franchise history.

The Dream delivered another balanced performance to close out the series, with five players scoring in double figures.

Angel Reese led Atlanta with 22 points, nine rebounds, three assists, one steal, and two blocks. Reese continued her impressive postseason play, recording her second consecutive 20-point game while also producing her first career playoff quarter with at least 10 points.

Rhyne Howard added 21 points, two rebounds, one steal, and one block, marking her second 20-point performance of the postseason. Howard’s ability to contribute offensively has remained an important part of Atlanta’s playoff success.

Jordin Canada continued to be the engine behind the Dream’s offense, finishing with 19 points, three rebounds, and 11 assists. Her performance marked her second game with at least 10 assists this postseason and the fourth postseason double-double of her career.

Veteran DeWanna Bonner brought experience and toughness to the floor, recording a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Bonner’s contributions on the glass helped Atlanta maintain its competitive edge, while Isobel Borlase provided another spark with 10 points, two rebounds, one assist, and two steals.

Atlanta also made the most of its opportunities at the free-throw line, shooting an impressive 91.7 percent.

The starting lineup of Canada, Howard, Bonner, Naz Hillmon, and Reese improved to 2-0 together in the postseason. With the series victory, Atlanta’s all-time playoff record against New York moved to 4-2.

But perhaps the biggest storyline is what this moment means for a franchise that has spent more than a decade trying to return to the championship stage.

The Dream reached the WNBA Finals three times in four seasons between 2010 and 2013, establishing themselves as one of the league’s competitive franchises during that stretch.

In 2010, Atlanta made its first Finals appearance but was swept by the Seattle Storm. The Dream returned the following season, only to fall to the Minnesota Lynx in three games. Two years later, Atlanta earned another opportunity to compete for a championship, but Minnesota once again swept the series.

Those teams helped establish the foundation of Dream basketball, with players such as Angel McCoughtry, Érika de Souza, Sancho Lyttle, and Tiffany Hayes leaving their marks on the franchise’s postseason history.

McCoughtry’s 38-point performance against Minnesota on October 5, 2011, remains Atlanta’s individual Finals scoring record. Érika de Souza holds the franchise’s Finals rebounding record with 15, while Coco Miller recorded a franchise-best eight assists in a Finals game in 2010.

Now, more than a decade later, a new generation of Dream players has the opportunity to accomplish something that has eluded the franchise since its inaugural season in 2008.

And what makes this journey even more meaningful is the way Atlanta has reached this point.

Throughout the postseason, the Dream have relied on contributions from across the roster, combining offensive production, defensive intensity, veteran leadership, and a willingness to make the plays necessary to win.

Reese has brought energy and determination in the paint. Howard has provided scoring and versatility. Canada has directed the offense, while Bonner’s experience and leadership have added another dimension to the team’s postseason success.

Together, they’ve helped transform a promising season into a historic one.

For Atlanta fans who remember those earlier Finals appearances, this return is especially meaningful. For a new generation of supporters, it’s an opportunity to experience the excitement of championship basketball for the first time.

The Dream have already accomplished something special, but the ultimate goal remains ahead.

Next up: Atlanta will face the winner of the Las Vegas Aces and Golden State Valkyries semifinal series in the 2026 WNBA Finals.

The stage is set, the city is ready, and the Dream have an opportunity to bring home the first WNBA championship in franchise history.

Thirteen years later, Atlanta is back where it belongs — competing for a championship.

And this time, the Dream are hoping to turn a Finals appearance into a championship celebration.