The Atlanta Dream defeated the New York Liberty 83-65 on Wednesday, September 23, as Allisha Gray led all scorers with 24 points and Atlanta secured the No. 4 playoff seed in the regular-season finale at Barclays Center. Naz Hillmon added 16 points as the Dream completed the 18-point road win.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter: Liberty 19, Dream 18

New York carried a one-point lead through the opening quarter, holding Atlanta to 18 points while establishing a 19-18 edge. The margin was narrow, but the Liberty entered the second period with an early advantage on their home floor.

Second Quarter: Dream 23, Liberty 7

Atlanta took control in the second quarter, outscoring New York 23-7 to turn a one-point deficit into a 41-26 halftime lead. The 16-point period created the separation that defined the game, as the Liberty struggled to generate efficient offense.

Third Quarter: Liberty 18, Dream 17

The Liberty responded after halftime and narrowly won the third quarter, 18-17. New York reduced the deficit by one, but Atlanta maintained a 58-44 lead entering the final 10 minutes.

Fourth Quarter: Dream 25, Liberty 21

Atlanta closed the regular-season finale with another productive offensive quarter, scoring 25 points to New York’s 21. The Dream held off any late comeback opportunity and finished with an 83-65 victory.

Key Performers

  • Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream: 24 points and three steals, leading all scorers and setting the tone for Atlanta’s clinching win.
  • Naz Hillmon, Atlanta Dream: 16 points, providing a valuable second scoring option.
  • Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream: Six assists, helping Atlanta produce 25 assists as a team.
  • DeWanna Bonner, Atlanta Dream: Eight rebounds, a team high for Atlanta.
  • Marine Fauthoux, New York Liberty: 14 points and four assists to lead the Liberty in scoring.
  • Jonquel Jones, New York Liberty: 10 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.

NerdSports Stat: Atlanta made 10 more field goals than New York, 30 to 20, while the Liberty held a 40-35 rebounding advantage. The Dream overcame that rebounding deficit with better ball movement, finishing with 25 assists to New York’s 15.

Game Analysis

Atlanta’s second-quarter surge was the decisive stretch. The Dream converted their offensive opportunities more consistently, shooting 39.0% from the field and making 10 three-pointers. New York shot 36.4% overall and made only 5 of 29 attempts from beyond the arc, a 17.2% rate.

The Dream also created a more connected offensive performance. Their 25 assists on 30 made baskets reflected steady ball movement and helped produce 83 points despite taking 77 field-goal attempts. Gray’s 24 points supplied the scoring lead, while Hillmon, Howard and Bonner contributed in complementary areas.

New York stayed competitive at the free-throw line, making 20 of 22 attempts, and Jones controlled the glass with 14 rebounds. But the Liberty’s seven-point second quarter created too large a halftime gap to fully overcome. Atlanta’s 10 made threes also produced a 15-point advantage from beyond the arc.

Closing Context

The victory moved Atlanta to 30-14 and officially secured the No. 4 seed in the playoffs. New York concluded the regular season at 26-18 after going 14-8 at home. With the regular season complete for both teams, Atlanta enters the postseason with a confirmed top-four position, while the Liberty turns its attention to its own playoff path.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Atlanta Dream vs New York Liberty game on September 23, 2026?

Atlanta Dream defeated New York Liberty 83-65 on September 23, 2026.

How many points did Allisha Gray score?

Allisha Gray scored 24 points; her individual shooting percentage was not provided in the supplied box score.

What are Atlanta Dream’s standings after this game?

After the win, Atlanta Dream sits 30-14 in the Eastern Conference.

Who was the best player in the game?

Allisha Gray was the standout performer with 24 points and three steals.