Make New York Post a Preferred Source ATLANTA — The Liberty said they were bracing for the Atlanta Dream’s speed and physicality in this semifinals series.
But they appeared to forget the one thing they could least afford against the Dream.
Atlanta is the WNBA’s best team at forcing live-ball turnovers. And the Dream made the Liberty pay time and time again Sunday.
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The Liberty unraveled in the third quarter, coughing up nine turnovers that Atlanta converted into 16 points as a tight game spiraled into an epic collapse.
The Liberty made a valiant push in the fourth quarter, cutting the Dream’s lead to five on four occasions over the final 5:19. But they couldn’t get the necessary defensive stops to pull off the comeback as the Dream held on 92-82 to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
Dream star Angel Reese was honored pregame as the WNBA’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Then, for the next two hours, she showcased exactly why she won the award.
Reese and Jordin Canada headlined the Dream’s relentless defense that bullied the Liberty into 21 turnovers, which Atlanta turned into 32 points, which ties a WNBA playoff record.
The first half went as expected. It was a struggle and slog as both teams exchanged blows. There were 14 lead changes and three ties over the first 20 minutes.
The Dream ratcheted up the pressure and physicality after the break. The intensity frazzled the Liberty into making mistake after mistake after mistake.
The Dream outscored the Liberty 32-15 in the third quarter.
The Liberty didn’t go down without a fight. They opened the fourth with a 15-6 run to make it a five-point game.
But each of the four times they closed within five, the Dream answered.
With the Dream missing Allisha Gray, who exited the first half with a hand injury, Canada and DeWanna Bonner stepped up. Canada finished with 25 points, four assists and five steals. Bonner contributed 23 points and nine rebounds off the bench. Reese added 17 points, seven rebounds and four steals.
