Angel Reese powers Atlanta Dream past New York Liberty into first WNBA finals since 2013

Atlanta’s Angel Reese collides with New York’s Jonquel Jones during the second quarter of Friday’s WNBA semi-final game three at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Photograph: Ishika Samant/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenAtlanta’s Angel Reese collides with New York’s Jonquel Jones during the second quarter of Friday’s WNBA semi-final game three at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Photograph: Ishika Samant/Getty ImagesAngel Reese powers Atlanta Dream past New York Liberty into first WNBA finals since 2013Reese scores 22 as Dream clinch with 85-83 victory

Atlanta reach WNBA finals for first time since 2013

Stewart and Jones score 26 apiece in Liberty defeat

The Atlanta Dream advanced to the WNBA finals for the first time in 13 years on Friday night, finishing off a three-game sweep of the New York Liberty with a dramatic 85-83 victory at Barclays Center.

Angel Reese scored 22 points and Rhyne Howard added 21 as Atlanta survived a second-half fightback by New York to clinch the best-of-five semi-final tie. Jordin Canada finished with 19 points and 11 assists for the Dream, who reached the championship series for the fourth time in franchise history and will be seeking their first title.

Atlanta completed the sweep despite playing without Allisha Gray, one of their leading scorers, who missed her second consecutive game with a left hand injury. DeWanna Bonner contributed 13 points and 13 rebounds, while Australian reserve Isobel Borlase added 10 points on five-of-six shooting.

The Dream got off to a flying start, connecting on five of their eight three-point attempts in the opening quarter. Howard scored 11 points and Reese added 10, including a pair of threes, as Atlanta established a 25-18 lead. Reese had 18 points by half-time, helping the visitors take a 44-39 advantage into the break.

New York, facing elimination before a sellout crowd of 17,991, fought back after the intermission. Breanna Stewart scored 10 points in the third quarter and Jonquel Jones added nine as the Liberty shot 58.8% from the field and outscored Atlanta 29-22 to take a 68-66 lead into the fourth.

But the Dream showed their resolve when it mattered most, holding New York to just 15 points in the final quarter. The Liberty made only five of their 15 shots over the closing 10 minutes, including one of seven from beyond the arc, as Atlanta outscored the hosts 19-15 to secure their place in the finals before a rollicking Brooklyn crowd that included Olivia Rodrigo, Meek Mill and Ethan Hawke.

Stewart and Jones finished with 26 points apiece for New York, with Jones adding 14 rebounds and three blocks. Sabrina Ionescu scored 12 points but struggled from the field, connecting on four of 12 attempts. The Liberty’s season ended with a sixth consecutive defeat to Atlanta dating back to the regular season.

The result completed a remarkable series for Karl Smesko’s Dream, who had taken a commanding lead with Wednesday’s 101-98 overtime victory. Atlanta now stand four wins from their first WNBA championship, having lost each of their previous three appearances in the finals, in 2010, 2011 and 2013.

Atlanta will face either the Golden State Valkyries or the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA finals. Golden State lead their best-of-five semi-final series 2-0 and can complete the sweep in game three later on Friday.