DeWanna Bonner Steps Up as Atlanta Dream Take Game 1 Over New York Liberty

ATLANTA – DeWanna Bonner delivered a crucial performance, scoring 23 points and grabbing nine rebounds, to lead the Atlanta Dream to a 92-82 victory over the New York Liberty in Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals. Bonner, acquired by the Dream via a contract buyout in late August, showcased the experience and leadership that the team sought when adding the six-time All-Star and two-time WNBA champion.

Bonner's impactful play came as the Dream played without Allisha Gray, who was sidelined with an injured left hand during the game. Gray's absence left a void in Atlanta's offense, which Bonner helped fill, contributing significantly to the team's ability to secure the opening-game win. The veteran forward also reportedly provided a motivational halftime speech that energized the team for their dominant third-quarter performance.

Atlanta coach Karl Smesko expressed hope for Gray's recovery but offered no immediate update on her status for the remainder of the playoffs. Should Gray be unable to return, the Dream appear to have a reliable option in Bonner, who shot 10-for-18 from the field and made three 3-pointers in Game 1. While scoring may be distributed differently in subsequent games, Bonner demonstrated that the 39-year-old veteran remains a significant offensive threat capable of influencing game outcomes.

Liberty coach Chris DeMarco acknowledged Bonner's impact, stating, "She protects the rim, she has the ability to make 3s, she gets to the rim on offense so that’s a good acquisition for them. She plays well, she fits that system and yeah, she had a huge impact on this win."

In other news, Satou Sabally is set to return to the Unrivaled league for the upcoming season. Sabally missed the entirety of last season due to a concussion sustained during the 2025 WNBA Finals and suffered a second concussion in late June, which ended her WNBA season prematurely. The Liberty officially ruled her out for the year last month.