Atlanta Dream Sweep Defending Champion New York Liberty to Reach WNBA Finals
The Atlanta Dream are heading back to the WNBA Finals after completing a stunning sweep of the defending champion New York Liberty with an 85-83 victory in Game 3 on Friday night at Barclays Center. The Dream, who led by as many as 12 points in the first half, had to withstand a furious Liberty rally in the final minute to secure the series-clinching win. With the sweep, Atlanta advances to the Finals for the first time since 2013, where they will face the Golden State Valkyries, who swept the Las Vegas Aces in the other semifinal.
The series was a tale of two teams heading in opposite directions. New York dominated Game 1 with a comfortable 83-69 win, looking every bit the defending champions. But Atlanta responded with a gritty Game 2 victory and carried that momentum into Game 3, using a key defensive tactic that had worked well against the Aces earlier in the season: a late switch that sends the ball-handler toward the big with downhill momentum. That adjustment disrupted New York’s rhythm and helped the Dream build their first-half lead. Despite the Liberty’s late surge, Atlanta held on to complete the sweep and avoid a do-or-die Game 4 at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia.
The Dream’s victory marks a significant shift in the WNBA landscape, as the Liberty were widely favored to repeat as champions. Atlanta’s balanced attack and timely defense proved too much for New York, who struggled to find consistent offense in the clutch. The Dream now await the Valkyries, who have been one of the season’s biggest surprises. Golden State’s sweep of Las Vegas further underscores the parity in the league this year, setting up a Finals matchup between two teams hungry for their first title.
Looking ahead, the WNBA season continues to deliver high-stakes drama. The 2025 season tips off on Friday, May 16, with key opening games, and with major free agency shifts and the looming Olympic break, there’s no shortage of storylines. League executives remain measured but promise innovative scheduling and strategic enhancements to keep fans engaged. For now, the Atlanta Dream are celebrating a monumental upset and a return to the
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