Atlanta Dream Edge Liberty 101-98 in Overtime to Take 2-0 WNBA Semifinal Lead
Atlanta is a city in Fulton County, Georgia. The Atlanta Dream moved within one win of the WNBA Finals on October 7, defeating the New York Liberty 101-98 in overtime in Game 2 of the semifinals at State Farm Arena to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series. Game 3 will be played in New York.
Angel Reese, acquired from the Chicago Sky in a blockbuster April trade, scored a playoff career-high 23 points with seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Jordin Canada matched her with 23 points, eight assists and five rebounds, while Rhyne Howard added 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Atlanta, which swept Washington in the first round, remains unbeaten in this postseason.
Breanna Stewart carried New York with 35 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, but the night ended in controversy for the Liberty. After Reese's late free throws in overtime, Stewart asked the officiating crew whether her team had a reset timeout left and was told it did not — only for the Liberty to leave the floor with that timeout unused.
The win also underscored the "Angel Reese effect" on Atlanta's box office. StubHub reported that Dream ticket demand rose 91% in Reese's first season with the team — the largest jump in the WNBA — while the share of fans traveling from outside Georgia climbed 48%.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: Michaelcohnphoto, CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
