No. 4 Atlanta is gearing up for Game 2, looking to take a commanding 2-0 WNBA semifinals lead over No. 8 New York tonight after scoring a 92-82 win in Game 1 of the Liberty vs Dream playoffs.
Jordin Canada and DeWanna Bonner combined for 48 points in the best-of-five series opener, offsetting Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu’s 27 points.
However, Atlanta will be without leading scorer Allisha Gray, ruled out with a hand injury she aggravated twice on Sunday — resulting in an early WNBA playoffs Game 1 exit.
The Dream is also making moves off the court, announcing plans to leave College Park’s 3,500-seat Gateway Center Arena to play full time at Atlanta’s 17,000-seat State Farm Arena next year.
The franchise has grown its season-ticket base more than 400% in five years while selling out the NBA venue eight times — including five of six regular-season games this year.
“This is an exciting next chapter,” said Dream President and COO Morgan Shaw Parker. “State Farm Arena gives us the opportunity to welcome thousands of additional fans while creating an even bigger stage for women’s basketball in Atlanta.”
The Dream hosts the Liberty tonight at 7:30 PM ET (ESPN).
