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Developing storyline

Atlanta Dream WNBA playoff surge

Atlanta Dream advance through WNBA semifinals with series wins over New York Liberty.

7 stories464 sourcesUpdated Oct 17, 2026

In this storyline:Angel Reese WNBA Finals Breanna Stewart Allisha Gray WNBA All-Rookie Team Sophie Cunningham Atlanta Dream Naz Hillmon

Atlanta Dream WNBA playoff surge — Photo: John Mac / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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total articles across this storyline · last 72h

459

articles now

817

peak · 11:00 AM

-33%

vs. first half

Oct 15, 11 AMdots mark key developments · hover for any hourOct 18, 5 AM

Key developments

Oct 10, 2026
Naz Hillmon's late OT layup lifted Atlanta past New York 101-98 for a 2-0 WNBA semifinal lead.
132 sources on this →
Oct 10, 2026
Angel Reese scored 22 points as Atlanta completed a 3-0 sweep of New York 85-83 to reach the WNBA Finals.
26 sources on this →
Oct 12, 2026
Atlanta Dream will host WNBA Finals home games at 3,500-seat Gateway Center Arena after failing to secure larger venue.
114 sources on this →
Oct 17, 2026
Atlanta Dream star Allisha Gray is day-to-day with a left-hand injury ahead of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals against the Golden State Valkyries.

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Stories in this storyline

Sports

Valkyries Take 1-0 Finals Lead Over Dream

The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries are competing for their first WNBA championship, and strong demand has pushed Finals ticket prices to record highs. Atlanta moved Games 3 and 4 to the larger State Farm Arena, while the series also draws high prices in Golden State.

78 sources

Sports

Allisha Gray remains questionable for Finals opener

Atlanta Dream star Allisha Gray is day-to-day with a left-hand injury ahead of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals against the Golden State Valkyries. She has returned to full-court practice after a minor procedure, but the team’s medical staff will decide near tip-off whether she can play; Atlanta has prepared to compete with or without its leading scorer.

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Dream, Valkyries Set for First Championship

Angel Reese’s defense, rebounding, leadership and competitive intensity have helped propel Atlanta to the WNBA Finals, while improved confidence in her outside shot has added another dimension to her game. Coaches and analysts credit her partnership with coach Karl Smesko and say Reese has become a major reason the Dream are competing for a championship.

91 sources

Sports

Cunningham Criticizes WNBA Officiating After Reese Incident

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham criticized officials for not giving Angel Reese a technical after she followed Sabrina Ionescu while yelling during the semifinals, and also called some of Reese’s physical plays dangerous. Cunningham separately urged the WNBA to explain its handling of a disputed reset-timeout incident involving Breanna Stewart; the league later described that episode as a misunderstanding.

10 sources

Sports

Dream Unable to Secure Larger Venue for WNBA Finals Games

Atlanta Dream will host WNBA Finals home games at 3,500-seat Gateway Center Arena after failing to secure State Farm Arena or another larger venue.

114 sources

Sports

Atlanta Dream take 2-0 semifinal lead

Naz Hillmon's layup with 20.8 seconds left in OT lifted Atlanta past New York 101-98 for a 2-0 WNBA semifinals lead.

132 sources

Sports

Atlanta Dream reach first WNBA Finals since 2013

Angel Reese scored 22 points as the Atlanta Dream beat the New York Liberty 85-83, completing a 3-0 sweep to reach their first WNBA Finals since 2013.

26 sources