Allisha Gray scored 24 points as the Atlanta Dream secured a playoff spot with an 83-65 win over the New York Liberty on Wednesday in Brooklyn. The victory clinched the No. 4 seed for Atlanta, guaranteeing home-court advantage for the opening round of the WNBA playoffs.
The Dream entered the game needing just one more win to confirm where their first-round series would be played. Their 30-14 regular-season finish ensured Game 1 at State Farm Arena on Sunday, September 27, with the opponent still to be determined by the final standings.
Atlanta had already beaten New York 95-84 earlier in the week on Monday. That road win showed they could perform under playoff-like pressure away from home. Wednesday’s result was about doing it again with something specific on the line: home court.
The Dream’s official Twitter account celebrated the achievement, urging fans to pack the arena for the postseason. The team’s performance combined solid defence and balanced scoring. Naz Hillmon contributed 16 points, while the team limited the Liberty to 65 points, a defensively sound number ahead of a short playoff series.
The first round in the WNBA is a best-of-three format, with the higher seed hosting Games 1 and 3 if needed. Atlanta’s home-court advantage means they start the series in front of their own fans and could close it out there as well. However, the Dream cannot assume the series will extend to a third game, as a tight series often hinges on one cold shooting night or a few crucial turnovers.
The win capped a five-game winning streak for Atlanta, a run that adds momentum heading into the postseason. The team’s success this season has not relied on a single player to carry the load. Angel Reese has been a dominant presence on the boards, Rhyne Howard provides perimeter scoring, and Gray has the ability to take over stretches when necessary. Wednesday’s game was Gray’s moment to lead.
The Dream’s defensive effort on Wednesday was particularly important. Holding the Liberty to just 65 points in a game with playoff implications showed the kind of discipline they will need in a series that allows little margin for error. That defensive consistency could prove decisive as the postseason begins.
Atlanta’s focus now turns to preparing for the first-round series at home. The playoff opener will be on September 27, but the identity of their opponent remains to be finalized as the regular season concludes. The Dream’s ability to maintain the teamwork and defensive intensity shown against New York will be vital in the games that determine who advances.
The WNBA playoffs will test whether Atlanta’s balanced approach can withstand the pressure of elimination basketball. The Dream have proven they can win on the road and defend when it counts. Their challenge is to sustain that over a series where every possession matters.
According to Yahoo Sports.