After two quarters, the New York Liberty led the Atlanta Dream 40-37.
However, the third quarter happened.
In that quarter, the Dream outscored the Liberty 32-15 as Jordin Canada scored 12 of her team-high 25 points.
The Dream defeated the Liberty in Game 1 of their semifinal series, 92-82, at State Farm Arena on Sunday.
The Dream lead the series 1-0, and Game 2 of the best-of-five series is Wednesday night in Atlanta.
In the third quarter, the Dream shot 71% from the field and built their largest lead of the quarter, 14 points, at 59-45 after going on a 22-5 run. Atlanta led 69-55 at the end of the third.
Atlanta led by as many as 16 points, but the Liberty cut the lead to five in the fourth; New York could not get any closer.
Atlanta had a big-time defensive effort, forcing 21 turnovers that led to 32 points and tying the WNBA postseason record for most points off turnovers.
The defense was anchored by 2026 Defensive Player of the Year Angel Reese, who had 17 points, seven rebounds, four steals, and three blocks.
Additionally, Atlanta ended the night with 14 steals and four blocks.
Four Dream players scored in double figures, including DeWanna Bonner, who had 23 points and nine rebounds off the bench.
For the Liberty, Sabrina Ionescu had a game-high 27 points, Breanna Stewart added 19, and Jonquel Jones chipped in with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
In a five-game series, it’s very important to get Game 1, and that’s what the Dream did.
At this point, including the regular season, Atlanta has won three straight over the Liberty and eight straight overall.
Atlanta will need a better shooting night from Rhyne Howard, who finished with 16 points on 5-of-20 shooting. A stronger performance from Howard would boost the Dream in Game 2.
Because the Liberty will be desperate, the Dream will probably have to play better than they did in Game 1 if they want to take a 2-0 series lead.
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