ATLANTA ― The No. 4 seed Atlanta Dream are up 1-0 in their best-of-five series with the No. 8 seed New York Liberty. The semifinal round of the WNBA playoffs continues with Game 2 on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at State Farm Arena (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Atlanta won the first game of the series 92-82 behind Dream guard Jordin Canada and forward DeWanna Bonner. Canada had 25 points, five steals, four assists and a block. Bonner added 23 points, nine rebounds and two steals off the bench. The Dream finished with four players in double digits.
Bonner's contribution was critical, as Atlanta guard Allisha Gray exited the game in the first half because of a left hand injury. The veteran played 30 minutes and could see more extended playing time in Game 2, along
with others from Atlanta's bench. With Gray ruled out for Game 2, Atlanta wants to keep its momentum going.
"(Bonner) moved positions in this game, when she hasn't been practicing at that position, and (was just able to) flow in it just because she has so much basketball experience," Smesko said after Game 1. "She has a sense of what she should do in a play, even if she never ran a play before. And then she just knows where the ball should move and what the next action should be ... She's just been fantastic. She's making a huge difference for us, and we're gonna need more of it going forward."
The Liberty will look to get back in the win column. New York finished the contest with three players in double figures, led by Sabrina Ionescu's game-high 27 points. Breanna Stewart added 19 points, three assists, three steals and three blocks.
The Liberty's 21 turnovers allowed the Dream to score 32 points. Atlanta also had 14 steals and outscored the Liberty 55-42 in the second half. After Game 1, Ionescu talked about how she could be better.
"We didn't win. I don't think personal stats or any of that matters to me. I need to find a way to get everyone else in better positions," Ionescu said. "I had one assist, so I think I gotta find ways to get (Jonquel Jones) going a little bit more, (Breanna Stewart) going, continue finding (Leonie Fiebich) and Pauline (Astier). That's my job, and I'm gonna do that next game."
USA TODAY is providing full live coverage of Wednesday's Game 2 between the Liberty and the Dream.
Liberty's Breanna Stewart already up to 10 points
07:43 PM ET, October 7 2026, Meghan L. HallBreanna Stewart is playing no games against the Dream. She already has 10 of the Liberty's 14 points. There's still just under five minutes left in the quarter.
Stewie can do it all 😮💨
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 7, 2026
She has scored the last 8 points for New York including this triple!
NYL-ATL | ESPN | 2026 WNBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel | @madebygoogle pic.twitter.com/wsq4gCbngb
Dream pick up early fouls vs. Liberty
07:40 PM ET, October 7 2026, Meghan L. HallLess than three minutes into the game, three different Dream players (Angel Reese, Naz Hillmon and Rhyne Howard) have all picked up a foul.
Reese appeared to say "bet" to a nearby referee after picking up her foul for an offensive foul on Leonie Fiebich.
Dream vs Liberty tips off
07:39 PM ET, October 7 2026, Cydney HendersonGame 2 of the WNBA playoff semifinal series between the Liberty and Dream is underway at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. New York won the tipoff and forward Jonquel Jones got the Liberty on the board first.
Atlanta Dream to call State Farm Arena home in 2027
07:35 PM ET, October 7 2026, Meghan L. HallThe Atlanta Dream are getting new digs for the 2027 WNBAseason.
On Tuesday, the organization announced it will call State Farm Arena home next year. The move comes as part of a multi-year agreement with the facility to host home games and amid record growth for the league. Next season, the WNBA will move to 50 games and State Farm will host the Dream's 25 home contests. More details here.
Liberty vs. Dream is underway at State Farm Arena
07:34 PM ET, October 7 2026, Meghan L. HallThe Liberty and Dream have tipped off in Atlanta. Liberty won the tip. Jonquel Jones scored the game's first points, a layup.
3️⃣5️⃣ JONES CLOCKIN' IN 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1Koi5X7jTv
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) October 7, 2026
Dream starters vs. Liberty
07:10 PM ET, October 7 2026, Meghan L. HallYour Atlanta Dream Starters and Status Report tonight vs. New York 🅰️ pic.twitter.com/jLicOxrNYJ
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) October 7, 2026
Sabrina Ionescu stats
07:06 PM ET, October 7 2026, Meghan L. HallHere are Sabrina Ionescu's stats for the regular season and postseason:
Regular season
- Points: 14.6
- Rebounds: 3.8
- Assists: 4.7
- Steals: 0.7
- Blocks: 0.3
- Field goal percentage: 38.8
- 3-point pecentage: 29.5
Postseason
- Points: 19.3
- Rebounds: 2.7
- Assists: 4.7
- Steals: 1.7
- Blocks: 0.0
- Field goal percentage: 42.9
- 3-point percentage: 38.5
Dream's Allisha Gray supports teammates ahead of game vs. Liberty
07:01 PM ET, October 7 2026, Meghan L. HallAllisha Gray (left hand/finger) is out Wednesday against the New York Liberty. Gray showed up pregame to support her teammates. She arrived decked out in her teammate Naz Hillmon's jersey.
Liberty's Sabrina Ionescu gets loose for game vs. Dream
06:59 PM ET, October 7 2026, Meghan L. HallDream get loose ahead of game vs. Liberty
06:56 PM ET, October 7 2026, Meghan L. Hall48 points between these two in Game 1 🔥
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 7, 2026
Jordin Canada became just the sixth player in WNBA postseason history to record 25+ points and 5+ steals in a game, while DeWanna Bonner added 23 points and nine rebounds to help lead Atlanta to the series-opening win.
Catch them back in… pic.twitter.com/KtpNI9HN41
Dream's DeWanna Bonner explains why she's still playing
06:47 PM ET, October 7 2026, Meghan L. Hall"The joy of the game. I love it. I love playing every single day. I love waking up and coming into this locker room, my teammates. I love playing in front of the crowd. That gets me going," Bonner said ahead of Wednesday's matchup against the Liberty. "I just love it."
Bonner has played 17 seasons in the WNBA and has played more than 100 playoff games throughout her career.
One of the most accomplished playoff vets ever @DEEBONNER24 is averaging 14 ppg 5 rebounds shooting 53% from field and 42% from 3 for @AtlantaDream
— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) October 7, 2026
What is her secret???? #joy @WNBA pic.twitter.com/xy1KmxvW19
Dream arrive for WNBA playoff game vs. Liberty
06:09 PM ET, October 7 2026, Meghan L. HallAssignment understood 😮💨
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 7, 2026
The @AtlantaDream are bringing the heat with their Game 2 fits as they get set to face New York with a chance to take a 2-0 series lead.
➡️ 7:30pm/ET | ESPN | 2026 WNBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel | @madebygoogle pic.twitter.com/zPQHHHDuQF
Liberty arrive for WNBA playoff game vs. Dream
05:50 PM ET, October 7 2026, Meghan L. HallRoad test on the way ⏳
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 7, 2026
The @nyliberty are in the building looking to even the series against the Dream. Catch them in action at 7:30pm/ET on ESPN
2026 WNBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel | @madebygoogle pic.twitter.com/j5Je66Ze8C
Angel Reese arrives for WNBA playoff game vs. Liberty
05:48 PM ET, October 7 2026, Meghan L. HallWhat’s 4+4? ATE 🤩
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 7, 2026
Angel Reese steps on the scene in style ahead of Game 2 at home vs. the Liberty!
📺 7:30pm/ET | ESPN | 2026 WNBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel pic.twitter.com/5k6IYd7zs5
Dream's Karl Smesko talks about Allisha Gray's injury
05:40 PM ET, October 7 2026, Meghan L. HallDream guard Allisha Gray is out because of an injured left hand.
"There's nobody that can just replace (Allisha Gray) ... so we just need everybody to do what they do, and do it as well as they can ...I expect (players) to play well if they get minutes," Smesko said pregame about Allisha Gray being out.
Liberty coach Chris DeMarco talks Dream's Allisha Gray being out
05:32 PM ET, October 7 2026, Meghan L. HallDream guard Allisha Gray suffered a left hand injury in Game 1 and is out for Game 2.
"At this point you don't wanna recreate yourself...we know she's out. But we're not taking that lightly. We know they'll be ready," Liberty head coach Chris DeMarco said.DeMarco said he expects that Dream will use a platoon to replace Gray, but New York is going to focus on itself and evening the series.
2026 WNBA playoffs: Semifinals bracket
06:06 AM ET, October 7 2026, Meghan L. HallHere’s how the WNBA playoff bracket looks as we continue the semifinals, with each team battling for a spot in the championship.
Atlanta Dream vs. New York Liberty
- Game 1: Dream 92, Liberty 82
- Game 2: Liberty at Dream, 7:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday (ESPN)
- Game 3: Dream at Liberty, 7:30 p.m. ET, Friday (ESPN2)
- Game 4: Dream at Liberty, TBD, Sunday (ABC)*
- Game 5: Liberty at Dream, TBD, Wednesday (ESPN)*
Golden State Valkyries vs. Las Vegas Aces
- Game 1: Aces 72, Valkyries 60
- Game 2: Aces at Valkyries, 9:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday (NBC/Peacock)
- Game 3: Valkyries at Aces, 9:30 p.m. ET, Friday (NBC/Peacock)
- Game 4: Valkyries at Aces, TBD, Sunday (NBC/Peacock)*
- Game 5: Aces at Valkyries, TBD, Wednesday (NBC/Peacock)*
*If necessary
What time is the New York Liberty vs. Atlanta Dream game?
06:06 AM ET, October 7 2026The Dream host the Liberty at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
- Date: Wednesday, Oct. 7
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: State Farm Arena (Atlanta)
What TV channel is the New York Liberty vs. Atlanta Dream game on today?
TV channel: ESPN
Stream: Disney+
No. 4 seed Atlanta Dream roster
06:01 AM ET, October 7 2026, Meghan L. HallHead coach: Karl Smesko
*On Sept. 17, the Dream ruled out forward Brionna Jones for the remainder of the 2026 WNBA season with a left leg injury. The 30-year-old is expected to make a full recovery. On Aug. 13, she left a matchup against the Connecticut Sun with a leg injury. After landing following a blocked shot, Jones exited the court moments later in pain. Jones was ruled out for the remainder of the game and did not suit up again for the Dream.
More: Brionna Jones injury update: Dream forward out for remainder of WNBA season
No. 8 seed New York Liberty roster
06:01 AM ET, October 7 2026, Meghan L. HallHead coach: Chris Demarco
*The Liberty announced on Aug. 13 that 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.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New York Liberty vs. Atlanta Dream WNBA playoffs LIVE: Highlights, score
