BROOKLYN, N.Y. — After going down two straight games in Georgia to the Atlanta Dream, the New York Liberty headed back to Brooklyn for Game 3 of the WNBA Semifinals, a must-win elimination game for them. Neither game was a disaster, though it would likely feel that way, regardless of the score differential. The Liberty were still dealing with the drama that occurred at the end of Game 2 in Atlanta when they failed to use their reset timeout in overtime. The team needed to block out all outside noise and play to the best of their ability.
Jonquel Jones won the opening jump ball, but DeWanna Bonner got an early block to pause the game. Jones made two off an offensive rebound, which Atlanta quickly countered, scoring their own three. New York was seemingly struggling in the opening minutes, not able to make baskets outside of the paint. Pauline Astier had a rough turnover directly to Angel Reese, though her shot was blocked by Breanna Stewart. Her next attempt was easily blocked by Jones. Sabrina Ionescu got the rebound, but her pass to Stewart was unfruitful.
Ionescu made her first (and the team’s) three, bringing the Liberty within one point. Reese quickly came in with a driving layup to put the Dream ahead by three. Stewart was awarded the first free throws of the matchup after being fouled by Rhyne Howard, making both. Howard made up those two points with a layup right after, but Jones managed a three to bring the Liberty closer.
Howard’s eight points and second three prompted New York to take a timeout with 3:01 remaining. Marine Fathoux got her first points with a driving layup. Howard earned the last points of the quarter with a three, ending the frame with the Dream leading 25-18.
The Liberty’s defense was able to keep the Dream at bay for the opening minute, but a call on Jones—that had Barclays Center vocalizing their disagreement—allowed Reese two free throws. Han Xu then made both of her free throws after being fouled by Naz Hillmon.
The next scoring drive was a Ionescu three that caused Barclays to erupt. Isabel Borlase scored two layups back-to-back, followed by what was listed as an offensive foul against Ionescu. There was some chatter between Ionescu and Reese after the play, which prompted a review for a hostile act, which was dismissed.
Barclays Center continued to be less than thrilled with the officiating on Friday night. The game continued to be heated throughout, with Jones and Reese going at it after a big block on Reese.
Leonie Fiebich made a big three to bring the score to 33-32, but Jordin Canada’s finger roll added two back. Stewart made both free throws after being fouled by Hillmon. She made a three with 51 seconds left before fouling Reese, who appeared to foul Stewart right back, but the call was made on the Liberty. Reese made both free throws. The Dream ended the half up 44-39.
Howard opened the third with her fourth three-point basket of the game. After four more Dream points, Ionescu and Jones earned back-to-back threes to bring the score to 51-45. A Jones layup led to Atlanta taking their time out. The Dream wouldn’t make another point until Canada’s free throws. The Liberty were quick to take advantage, though, earning their second lead of the game 56-55. Two Dream free throws had them trailing again, but Stewart brought them back up by one with a pull-up jump shot.
Stewart tied the game again at 60 before Hillmon committed her fifth personal foul on Fiebich, who made both free throws. Borlase made two, followed by Howard committing a foul on Stewart, which was reviewed for a hostile act. No hostile act was found according to the officiating team.
With the Liberty up two, Fathoux made two, putting New York up by four, their largest lead of the night. The Dream tied it up quickly, but Howard’s foul on Stewart allowed her to make both attempts, ending the quarter with the Liberty leading 68-66.
Ionescu made a three-point basket to start the final quarter, giving the Liberty a 71-66 lead. Howard had four consecutive points to bring the Dream within one. Ionescu missed a three-point attempt with a clear shot before Fathoux was charged with a personal foul.
With the Dream up 73-71, Fiebich fouled Canada, who went down hard. Atlanta took their timeout with 4:55 remaining. She made both attempts, putting Atlanta up by four. Bonner fouled Stewart, who made two. Stewart then was called for a foul on Howard, though the call was, again, questionable.
Stewart made a quick jump shot, putting the score at 78-75. Fiebich was called for a foul which sent two Dream players to the ground, prompting the crowd to show their displeasure, for what felt like the tenth time. After a few moments, New York took a timeout, though the officiating team didn’t seem pleased with head coach Chris DeMarco. Bonner was given three free throw attempts, making all three. Down by three, Jones made two after being fouled by Canada, but missed her free throw.
Fathoux prevented the Dream from making a shot and took the ball down the court. Stewart was fouled by Reese and made two, bringing the Liberty close again. Reese earned herself an offensive foul and went to her team to ask for a review, which they did not grant her.
Canada made two to put the Liberty down four with 1:15 remaining, prompting New York to take their timeout.
Jones made two to put the Liberty within two again. She then earned a defensive rebound, but Ionescu had a bad turnover. Thankfully for the Liberty, Howard had a turnover, allowing them to call their final regular timeout with 17.7 seconds left.
Ionescu earned her fifth personal foul with 6.2 seconds remaining and Bonner made both attempts. Down four, this prompted the Liberty to take their reset timeout. Stewart made two to end the game, but it wasn’t enough.
The Atlanta Dream swept the New York Liberty in three games in the WNBA Semifinals, ending the Liberty’s season.
