The Atlanta Dream are back in the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2013 after finishing a three-game sweep of the New York Liberty with an 85-83 victory at Barclays Center on Friday night, according to The Guardian.
Angel Reese led Atlanta with 22 points, while Rhyne Howard added 21 and Jordin Canada finished with 19 points and 11 assists. The Dream won despite being without Allisha Gray, who missed her second straight game with a left hand injury.
Atlanta built an early lead, then survived a New York comeback after halftime. The Liberty entered the fourth quarter ahead 68-66, but Atlanta held them to 15 points in the final period and outscored the hosts 19-15 down the stretch to close out the series.
Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones each scored 26 points for New York, with Jones adding 14 rebounds and three blocks. Sabrina Ionescu scored 12 points as the Liberty dropped their sixth consecutive game against Atlanta dating back to the regular season.
The Dream will play for their first WNBA title and are now four wins away from that goal. Their Finals opponent will be either the Golden State Valkyries or the defending champion Las Vegas Aces; Golden State led that semifinal series 2-0 and could complete a sweep in Game 3 later Friday.
