Atlanta Dream Edges New York Liberty in Close Contest
Friday, October 9, 2026, 7:30 PM ET · Barclays Center
Atlanta Dream 85, New York Liberty 83, final. Our WNBA picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Atlanta Dream vs New York Liberty?
Atlanta Dream beat New York Liberty 85-83 at Barclays Center on October 9, 2026.
Who was favored in Atlanta Dream vs New York Liberty?
New York Liberty were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -162 (about 62% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling matchup at Barclays Center, the Atlanta Dream narrowly defeated the New York Liberty with a final score of 85-83. This game was particularly noteworthy as it marked the third meeting between these teams in the current season, with Atlanta winning the series 2-1. The Dream's victory continues their impressive form, extending their winning streak to nine games, while the Liberty have now lost their last three encounters against Atlanta.
The game showcased the contrasting recent forms of both teams. The New York Liberty entered the contest with a record of 5-5 over their last ten games, struggling with a two-game losing streak. They averaged 85.1 points scored and allowed 81.2 points during this stretch. In contrast, the Atlanta Dream boasted a remarkable record of 9-1 in their last ten games, scoring an average of 93.7 points while allowing just 80.3 points. This strong performance has solidified their position as one of the top teams in the league.
Home court advantage has been a mixed bag for the Liberty, who hold a home record of 2-3 in their last five games. Meanwhile, the Dream have excelled on the road, maintaining a perfect 3-0 record in their last three away games. The Liberty's recent struggles at home were evident as they faced a formidable opponent in the Dream, who came into the game with a head of steam.
In terms of injuries, the Liberty were without key players Satou Sabally, who was out due to a concussion, and Elizabeth Balogun, who was out for non-injury related reasons. The Dream also faced challenges, missing Allisha Gray due to a hand injury, Matilde Villa for a coach's decision, and Brionna Jones because of a leg injury. These absences undoubtedly impacted the dynamics of the game.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Liberty favored by 3.5 points with a total set at 169.5. The moneyline indicated the Liberty at -162.0 and the Dream at 136.0, reflecting the expectation of a competitive game.
The conditions for the game were typical for a late-season matchup, with both teams eager to secure a win as they approach the playoffs. Fans were treated to an exciting contest characterized by back-and-forth scoring and clutch plays in the final minutes. Notable scoring plays included Jonquel Jones making a crucial layup to put the Dream ahead late in the fourth quarter, and Breanna Stewart's free throws that kept the Liberty within striking distance.
As the game unfolded, viewers witnessed the intensity of playoff-caliber basketball, with both teams showcasing their offensive skills and defensive tenacity. The final moments were particularly tense, as the Liberty fought hard to regain the lead but ultimately fell short against a resilient Dream squad. This game not only highlighted the competitive spirit of the WNBA but also set the stage for the upcoming playoff battles, with both teams looking to build on their performances.
What we said beforehand
The upcoming WNBA playoff matchup between the New York Liberty and the Atlanta Dream is set to take place at Barclays Center on October 9, 2026, at 23:30 UTC. This game is particularly intriguing as the Atlanta Dream currently lead the series 2-1 against the Liberty, having won their last three encounters. The Liberty will be looking to turn the tide in front of their home crowd after suffering consecutive losses to the Dream in their recent meetings.
In their last five games, the New York Liberty have struggled, recording a record of 2-3. Their most recent outing was a narrow defeat against the Atlanta Dream, where they lost 101-98 in overtime on October 7, 2026. This followed another loss to the Dream on October 4, where they fell 92-82. Prior to those games, they managed to secure victories against the Minnesota Lynx, winning 91-75 and 87-71 on September 27 and September 30, respectively. Overall, the Liberty have averaged 84.6 points scored in their last five games while allowing an average of 84.4 points.
On the other hand, the Atlanta Dream are on a remarkable nine-game winning streak, showcasing their strong form with a record of 9-1 in their last ten games. Their recent victories include the aforementioned wins over the Liberty, along with triumphs against the Washington Mystics, where they won 92-77 and 93-75 on September 27 and September 30, respectively. During this stretch, the Dream have averaged 92.2 points scored while allowing only 79.4 points.
When comparing their home and away performances, the Liberty have a home record of 26-18, while the Dream boast an impressive away record of 30-14. The Liberty's recent home form shows a mixed bag with a 5-5 record over their last ten games, including a 2-3 record in their last five at home. In contrast, the Dream have excelled on the road, winning all three of their last away games.
In terms of injuries, the Liberty will be without Satou Sabally, who is out due to a concussion, and Elizabeth Balogun, who is out for non-injury-related reasons. The Dream will miss Allisha Gray, who is out with a hand injury, Matilde Villa due to a coach's decision, and Brionna Jones, who is out with a leg injury. These absences could significantly impact both teams' strategies and performances.
The betting market reflects the competitive nature of this matchup, with DraftKings listing the Liberty as 3.5-point favorites. The total points line is set at 169.5, with both the over and under priced at -110. The moneyline shows the Liberty at -175 and the Dream at +145, indicating a slight favor towards the home team.
As the game approaches, viewers should watch for Breanna Stewart of the Liberty, who leads her team in scoring with an average of 20.8 points per game, alongside Sabrina Ionescu, who averages 4.7 assists. For the Dream, Jordin Canada is a key player to watch, leading in assists with an average of 7.3, while Angel Reese dominates the boards with an average of 12.1 rebounds.
This playoff clash promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams bringing their unique strengths and challenges to the court.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | NY -3.5 | 169.5 o -110 / u -110 | Atlanta Dream +136 · New York Liberty -162 |
Injury report
- Satou SaballyOutConcussionNew York Liberty
- Elizabeth BalogunOutNot Injury RelatedNew York Liberty
- Allisha GrayOutHandAtlanta Dream
- Matilde VillaOutCoach's DecisionAtlanta Dream
- Brionna JonesOutLegAtlanta Dream
Leaders
- PointsJonquel Jones26New York Liberty
- AssistsBreanna Stewart6New York Liberty
- ReboundsJonquel Jones14New York Liberty
- PointsAngel Reese22Atlanta Dream
- AssistsJordin Canada11Atlanta Dream
- ReboundsDeWanna Bonner13Atlanta Dream
Recent form
New York Liberty
Last 10: 5-5Streak L285.1 scored · 81.2 allowed per game2-3 at home
- L98-101at Atlanta DreamOct 7
- L82-92at Atlanta DreamOct 4
- W87-71vs Minnesota LynxSep 30
- W91-75at Minnesota LynxSep 27
- L65-83vs Atlanta DreamSep 24
- L84-95vs Atlanta DreamSep 22
- W106-69at Toronto TempoSep 20
- W93-81at Minnesota LynxSep 18
- W85-66vs Chicago SkyAug 29
- L60-79vs Golden State ValkyriesAug 28
Atlanta Dream
Last 10: 9-1Streak W993.7 scored · 80.3 allowed per game3-0 away
- W101-98vs New York LibertyOct 7
- W92-82vs New York LibertyOct 4
- W93-75at Washington MysticsSep 30
- W92-77vs Washington MysticsSep 27
- W83-65at New York LibertySep 24
- W95-84at New York LibertySep 22
- W106-81vs Chicago SkySep 19
- W103-59vs Connecticut SunSep 17
- W89-81vs Minnesota LynxAug 30
- L83-101vs Portland FireAug 28
Standings
| Team | Games behind | Lost | Streak | Win % | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | - | 14 | W5 | .682 | 30 |
| Washington | 2 | 16 | W4 | .636 | 28 |
| Indiana | 2 | 16 | L1 | .636 | 28 |
| New York | 4 | 18 | L2 | .591 | 26 |
| Chicago | 14 | 28 | L1 | .364 | 16 |
| Toronto | 19 | 33 | L8 | .250 | 11 |
| Connecticut | 19 | 33 | W1 | .250 | 11 |
Box score
| Stat | Atlanta Dream | New York Liberty |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 28-69 | 27-62 |
| Field goal % | 41 | 44 |
| Three-pointers | 7-20 | 9-29 |
| Three-point % | 35 | 31 |
| Free throws | 22-24 | 20-21 |
| Free throw % | 92 | 95 |
| Rebounds | 33 | 29 |
| Offensive rebounds | 9 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 24 | 21 |
| Assists | 19 | 15 |
| Steals | 5 | 4 |
| Blocks | 4 | 6 |
| Turnovers | 7 | 10 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls, total | 1 | 1 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 7 | 12 |
| Fast-break points | 7 | 2 |
| Points in the paint | 34 | 36 |
| Fouls | 22 | 20 |
| Largest lead | 12 | 5 |
| Lead changes | 7 | 7 |
| Time in front | 76 | 19 |
How the scoring went
- 3rd Quarter55-56Jonquel Jones makes tip shot
- 3rd Quarter56-56Jordin Canada makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter57-56Jordin Canada makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter57-58Breanna Stewart makes 9-foot pullup jump shot
- 3rd Quarter59-58Jordin Canada makes running layup
- 3rd Quarter60-58Jordin Canada makes free throw 1 of 1
- 3rd Quarter60-60Breanna Stewart makes layup (Sabrina Ionescu assists)
- 3rd Quarter60-61Leonie Fiebich makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter60-62Leonie Fiebich makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter62-62Isobel Borlase makes 11-foot step back jumpshot
- 3rd Quarter62-63Breanna Stewart makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter62-64Breanna Stewart makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter62-66Marine Fauthoux makes running layup (Breanna Stewart assists)
- 3rd Quarter64-66DeWanna Bonner makes 2-foot layup (Isobel Borlase assists)
- 3rd Quarter66-66Angel Reese makes two point shot (Jordin Canada assists)
- 3rd Quarter66-67Breanna Stewart makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter66-68Breanna Stewart makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter66-71Sabrina Ionescu makes 25-foot three point jumper (Leonie Fiebich assists)
- 4th Quarter67-71Rhyne Howard makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter68-71Rhyne Howard makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter70-71Rhyne Howard makes driving layup (Jordin Canada assists)
- 4th Quarter73-71Jordin Canada makes 24-foot three pointer (Naz Hillmon assists)
- 4th Quarter74-71Jordin Canada makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter75-71Jordin Canada makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter75-72Breanna Stewart makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter75-73Breanna Stewart makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter77-73Rhyne Howard makes 4-foot layup (Jordin Canada assists)
- 4th Quarter78-73Rhyne Howard makes free throw 1 of 1
- 4th Quarter78-75Breanna Stewart makes 5-foot turnaround jump shot (Jonquel Jones assists)
- 4th Quarter79-75DeWanna Bonner makes free throw 1 of 3
- 4th Quarter80-75DeWanna Bonner makes free throw 2 of 3
- 4th Quarter81-75DeWanna Bonner makes free throw 3 of 3
- 4th Quarter81-77Jonquel Jones makes layup
- 4th Quarter81-78Breanna Stewart makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter81-79Breanna Stewart makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter83-79Jordin Canada makes 4-foot two point shot
- 4th Quarter83-81Jonquel Jones makes layup (Breanna Stewart assists)
- 4th Quarter84-81DeWanna Bonner makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter85-81DeWanna Bonner makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter85-83Breanna Stewart makes two point shot
Win probability
Above the line favours New York Liberty, below favours Atlanta Dream.
Venue
- Barclays CenterBrooklyn, NY
- Attendance17991
- OfficialsAngel Kent, Tiara Cruse, Tim Greene, Ryan Sassano
Elsewhere
- Reese, Howard help the Dream sweep Liberty and advance to WNBA Finals for first time since 2013
- WNBA playoffs 2026: Schedule, scores for every game
- WNBA playoffs 2026: Dream-Liberty live analysis, highlights
- Dream guard Gray (finger) to remain out for Game 3 vs. Liberty
- WNBA games today: Friday playoff schedule
- Liberty's focus on extending season, not Game 2 timeout issue
- 2026 WNBA semifinals: Can Las Vegas and New York avoid elimination?
- How Angel Reese is taking starring role in WNBA playoff debut
WNBA rules and settlement
These two, other days
- New York Liberty at Atlanta Dream — WNBA: result pendingOct 14, 2026
- Atlanta Dream at New York Liberty — WNBA: result pendingOct 11, 2026
- Atlanta Dream Edges New York Liberty in Overtime ThrillerOct 7, 2026
- Atlanta Dream Defeats New York Liberty 92-82Oct 4, 2026
- Atlanta Dream Defeats New York Liberty 83-65Sep 23, 2026