Atlanta Dream reach first WNBA Finals since 2013

The Atlanta Dream beat the New York Liberty 85-83 on Friday, completing a 3-0 semifinal sweep to reach the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2013. Angel Reese scored 22 points on 7-of-18 shooting, including two threes, with nine rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal as Atlanta played without injured Allisha Gray. The Dream, who lost Finals in 2010, 2011 and 2013, have not lost a playoff game this postseason. Reese is the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year in her debut Atlanta season after two Chicago Sky seasons without a playoff appearance. After the win, Reese told ESPN she manifested this when she came to Atlanta and had posted on 10/10/25 that she was manifesting the Finals. "I'm supposed to be here. I thank God for this moment. And I'm just so thankful," she said. She told reporters the job is not done and the team is not satisfied. She fought back tears, celebrated with teammates on court, and hugged her mother, Angel Webb Reese. Left-rated outlets led with her tears, manifestation claim, and a road-from-ridicule frame. No right-rated coverage and no factual disputes appear in the record.