Atlanta Dream on Brink of WNBA Finals After Overtime Win
Naz Hillmon's late layup secured an overtime victory, giving the Dream a commanding 2-0 series lead.
The Atlanta Dream are one win away from their first WNBA Finals appearance since 2013, following a thrilling 101-98 overtime victory against the New York Liberty on Wednesday night. The win gives the Dream a 2-0 lead in the semifinal series.
Naz Hillmon sank the go-ahead layup with just 20.8 seconds left in overtime, and Angel Reese followed with two free throws after a Liberty turnover to seal the win. Reese, who finished with 23 points, scored six of Atlanta's 13 points in the extra period. Jordin Canada also contributed 23 points and eight assists for the Dream, who won Game 1 of the series 92-82.
The Liberty were led by Breanna Stewart, who scored 35 points, but she missed a final attempt as time expired. New York rallied late in regulation, with Ionescu hitting a deep three-pointer to cut the deficit to three points with under two minutes remaining. Stewart then made a layup to make it 86-85 before the game went to overtime.
Atlanta played without Allisha Gray, their leading scorer, who was sidelined with a hand injury sustained in Game 1. Despite Gray's absence, other players stepped up to absorb the scoring load. Gray is listed as day-to-day ahead of Game 3.
The series now shifts to Brooklyn, New York, for Game 3, scheduled for Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Barclays Center.