PHOTOS: The Dream made a statement to open up the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs

Sports

PHOTOS: The Dream made a statement to open up the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs

Atlanta Dream opened the WNBA playoff semifinals with a 92-82 win over the New York Liberty at State Farm Arena.

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese shows off her 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year trophy before the tipofff a WNBA semifinal playoff game 1 between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Erik S. Lesser for the AJC)

Atlanta Dream forward Naz Hillmon, right, drives against New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) during the first half of a WNBA semifinal playoff game 1 between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Erik S. Lesser for the AJC)

Atlanta Dream guards Allisha Gray, left, and Jordin Canada (3) defend against New York Liberty guard Pauline Astier, center, during the first half of a WNBA semifinal playoff game 1 between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Erik S. Lesser for the AJC)

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) defends against New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones (35) during the first half of a WNBA semifinal playoff game 1 between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Erik S. Lesser for the AJC)

Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada (3) drives against New York Liberty guard Pauline Astier (18) during the first half of a WNBA semifinal playoff game 1 between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Erik S. Lesser for the AJC)

Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard, right, drives against New York Liberty guard Pauline Astier (18) during the first half of a WNBA semifinal playoff game 1 between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Erik S. Lesser for the AJC)

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese, center, passes between New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, left, and forward Breanna Stewart, right, during the first half of a WNBA semifinal playoff game 1 between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Erik S. Lesser for the AJC)

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) reacts against the New York Liberty during the second half of a WNBA semifinal playoff game 1 between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Erik S. Lesser for the AJC)

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) reacts with forward Naz Hillmon (00) during the second half of a WNBA semifinal playoff game 1 between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Erik S. Lesser for the AJC)

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) makes a steal against New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) during the second half of a WNBA semifinal playoff game 1 between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Erik S. Lesser for the AJC)

Atlanta Dream forward DeWanna Bonner (24) gets the fans involved during the second half of a WNBA semifinal playoff game 1 between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Erik S. Lesser for the AJC)

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) makes a steal against New York Liberty center Han Xu (21) during the second half of a WNBA semifinal playoff game 1 between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Erik S. Lesser for the AJC)

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) defends against New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) during the second half of a WNBA semifinal playoff game 1 between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Erik S. Lesser for the AJC)

Fans wave rally towels during the second half of a WNBA semifinal playoff game 1 between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Erik S. Lesser for the AJC)

Atlanta Dream forward DeWanna Bonner (24) and forward Angel Reese (5) react during the second half of a WNBA semifinal playoff game 1 between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Erik S. Lesser for the AJC)

A game ball on the court during a timeout during the second half of a WNBA semifinal playoff game 1 between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Erik S. Lesser for the AJC)

Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) passes against New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) and forward Leonie Fiebich (13) during the second half of a WNBA semifinal playoff game 1 between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Erik S. Lesser for the AJC)

Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) shoots against New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) during the first half of a WNBA semifinal playoff game 1 between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Erik S. Lesser for the AJC)

Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) shoots against New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) during the first half of a WNBA semifinal playoff game 1 between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Erik S. Lesser for the AJC)

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) drives to the basket against the New York Liberty during the first half of a WNBA semifinal playoff game 1 between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Erik S. Lesser for the AJC)

Atlanta Dream forward DeWanna Bonner (24) drives to the basket against the New York Liberty during the first half of a WNBA semifinal playoff game 1 between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Erik S. Lesser for the AJC)

Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) takes a rebound away from New York Liberty guard Marine Fauthoux (4) during the second half of a WNBA semifinal playoff game 1 between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Erik S. Lesser for the AJC)

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Credit: Erik S. Lesser for the AJC

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese shows off her 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year trophy before the tipofff a WNBA semifinal playoff game 1 between the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Erik S. Lesser for the AJC)

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