Angel Reese and Dream Take Game 1, Putting Pressure on Liberty's Jonquel Jones
Reese's dominant performance overshadowed Jones in the Atlanta Dream's 92-82 victory, highlighting a key matchup for the New York Liberty's WNBA Finals aspirations.
Angel Reese led the Atlanta Dream to a 92-82 victory over the New York Liberty in Game 1 of their semifinal series, a performance that underscored the importance of her individual battle with Liberty center Jonquel Jones.
Reese, recently named Defensive Player of the Year, displayed physicality and relentless effort, contributing 17 points on 60 percent shooting, seven rebounds, four steals, and three blocks. Her play dictated the game's terms and made things difficult for the Liberty from the outset.
In contrast, Jones struggled to establish herself as an offensive force, finishing with 12 points on 4-for-9 shooting. While she led all players with 11 rebounds and added three assists and five blocks, her overall impact was limited by Reese's defensive pressure.
Jones acknowledged her need to elevate her game, looking to recapture the dominant form she displayed in the Liberty's first-round sweep of the Minnesota Lynx. In that series clincher, Jones recorded 21 points, 13 rebounds, and two assists, setting a strong tone for her team.
"I have to get back into that Game 2 mindset that I had against Minnesota," Jones stated. "Maybe just crashing and trying to make things happen, be a little bit more physical in that sense. Yeah, just try to affect the game a little bit more defensively."
Sabrina Ionescu, who scored 27 points but committed five turnovers, recognized her role in facilitating Jones's offensive opportunities. "I need to find a way to get everyone else in better positions," Ionescu said. "I had one assist, so I think I got to find ways to get JJ going a little bit more... and that's my job, and I'm going to do that next game."
The Liberty's primary challenge in Game 1 was their 21 turnovers, which the Dream converted into 32 points. Atlanta's defense, known as the league's peskiest, is averaging 21 turnovers from opponents in the playoffs. For the Liberty to recover in this series, minimizing self-inflicted errors and taking better care of the ball will be crucial.
The frontcourt matchup between Jones and Reese is expected to be a deciding factor. If Jones cannot regain her aggressive, assertive mentality, it could significantly hinder the Liberty's chances of advancing to the WNBA Finals.