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Two of the highest contenders to win the WNBA title are dealing with off when the Atlanta Dream host the New York Liberty on Saturday. The sport will tip off at 2 p.m. ET on CBS.
The Dream have exceeded expectations this season, most just lately with Thursday’s 75-73 victory over the Lynx, the No. 1 group within the standings. Atlanta is at present No. 2 with a 23-13 report.
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In the meantime, the Liberty are 22-14 on the season and are No. 4 within the standings. They suffered a disappointing 91-85 loss to the Chicago Sky on Thursday regardless of a 25-point efficiency from Jonquel Jones.
New York can be shorthanded on Saturday as Breanna Stewart (knee), Nyara Sabally (knee) and Isabelle Harrison (concussion) have but to return. Sabrina Ionescu’s title was added to the damage checklist after hurting her foot in opposition to Chicago. Ionescu is out for Saturday, however coach Sandy Brondello mentioned she “escaped something main” and ought to be again quickly.
The place to observe New York Liberty vs. Atlanta Dream
Date: Saturday, Aug. 23 | Time: 2 p.m. ET
Location: Gateway Middle Enviornment — School Park, Georgia
TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+
Odds (by way of BetMGM): Dream -6.5, O/U 159.5
Collection breakdown
The Liberty are 2-1 in opposition to the Dream this season, with each wins occurring in New York.
Their most up-to-date encounter was on July 13, which the Liberty received 79-72 after overcoming a 19-point first-half deficit. Leonie Fiebich led the way in which with 21 factors, whereas Stewart had a double-double of 18 factors and 10 rebounds. Jonquel Jones didn’t play in that recreation because of an ankle damage. Jones can be obtainable this Saturday, however Stewart is at present out.
The Dream had a balanced effort with 5 gamers scoring in double figures, led by Allisha Grey’s 16 factors. Rhyne Howard, Atlanta’s second-leading scorer, was out due to a knee damage however is again within the lineup.
Liberty struggling with out Stewart
Stewart suffered a bone bruise in her proper knee in late July, and her absence has positively been felt. New York is 17-7 when she performs and 5-7 with out her. Stewart is likely one of the Liberty’s most constant scorers with over 18 factors per recreation whereas additionally being a useful presence on protection.
She has been an All-Defensive first group choice for 3 consecutive years because of her size and talent to be disruptive wherever on the court docket. Earlier than her damage, the Liberty had a defensive ranking of 97.2, which has dropped to 100.6.
However no matter accidents, coach Sandy Brondello mentioned the largest setback for her group has been inconsistency. In opposition to Chicago, the Liberty led by three factors getting into the fourth, however went the ultimate six minutes of the sport with out making a single area purpose.
“Anybody can beat anybody on this league. Anybody can win this championship; it is large open,” Brondello mentioned. “However our inconsistencies are mind-boggling at instances, as a result of we play so nice. We’re driving this actually huge wave of highs and lows, however we’ve got a possibility to enter Atlanta now and beat them, which is a giant recreation for us.”
Atlanta is a critical contender
The Dream had six consecutive dropping seasons getting into 2025, and now they’re one win away from setting a brand new franchise report for single-season wins. The group has a whole lot of momentum with wins in eight of its final 10 video games. Grey scored 27 factors in opposition to the Lynx on Thursday, marking her fifteenth 20-point recreation of the season. Atlanta additionally grew to become the one group to have defeated Minnesota a number of instances in 2025.
Grey is main the group in factors, assists and steals, and has been probably the most spectacular gamers within the league.
“She is within the MVP dialog as a result of she is doing all of it, together with protection and rebounding,” Dream coach Karl Smesko mentioned. “I am actually glad. I positively suppose she deserves to be within the dialog. Positively deserves to be a first-team All-WNBA participant as a result of she has been that good this 12 months.”
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