ATLANTA ―The No. 4 seed Atlanta Dream host the No. 8 seed New York Libertyat State Farm Arena on Sunday, Oct. 4, for Game 1 of the semifinals in the 2026 WNBA Playoffs.
Both teams come off first-round sweeps. New York upset No. 1 seed Minnesota, the first time a No. 8 seed has beaten the top seed. Atlanta swept the No. 5 seed Washington Mystics
, the first time the Dream have been to the semifinals since 2018.Atlanta won the regular-season series 2-1, but the Dream know that means nothing in the postseason.
"Every team is making an adjustment, and just because we beat them in the regular season doesn't mean we're gonna be playing the same team in the postseason," Dream guard Allisha Gray said. "So it's like, you just erase that memory of beating
them in the regular season, knowing that we just gotta come out (and) be ready to play because we know that they're gonna be at their best. We're also going to be at ours."
New York is taking the same approach. They will lean on their championship DNA against Atlanta. Four of the five starters in the Liberty's starting lineup won a title together in 2024.
"We understand the poise you have to have come playoff time. ... we haven't had this experience of having to go on the road and win games to start a series," Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu said. "We know how important it is to try and take Game 1, especially at their home. We're just kind of understanding (that we have to) kind of weather the storm, the highs and lows, but really put everything you have into trying to win that first game."
USA TODAY is providing full live coverage of Sunday's Game 1 between the Liberty and the Dream. Follow along for updates.
No. 4 seed Atlanta Dream roster
06:00 AM ET, October 4 2026, Meghan L. HallHead coach: Karl Smesko
No. 8 seed New York Liberty roster
06:00 AM ET, October 4 2026, Meghan L. HallHead coach: Chris Demarco
*The Liberty announced on Aug. 13 forward Satou Sabally was stepping away from basketball after sustaining her second significant head injury in the past year. Sabally exited the Liberty's 87-76 win over the Las Vegas Aces early on June 23 after she was elbowed in the face by Aces forward NaLyssa Smith in the first quarter. Sabally's injury designation was changed from concussion protocol to "head" on Aug. 12.
More: Satou Sabally temporarily leaves Liberty to focus on head injury recovery.
What time is the New York Liberty vs. Atlanta Dream game?
06:00 AM ET, October 4 2026, Meghan L. HallThe Dream host the Liberty at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 4, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 4
- Time: 2 p.m. ET
- Location: State Farm Arena (Atlanta)
What TV channel is the New York Liberty vs. Atlanta Dream game on today?
TV channel: ABC
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New York Liberty vs. Atlanta Dream WNBA playoffs: Time, TV, how to watch
