Atlanta Dream Closes in on WNBA Finals Amid Controversy

The Atlanta Dream secured a decisive 101-98 overtime victory against the New York Liberty on Wednesday, moving to within one win of a WNBA Finals appearance. This triumph gives Atlanta a 2-0 lead in the semifinal series.

The game ended in controversy following claims by New York star Breanna Stewart about a missed timeout opportunity. Stewart stated that officials incorrectly informed the Liberty they had no reset timeouts left in the closing seconds, despite one being available.

This situation may impact league discussions on officiating.

This is not blaming the refs, but when I ask both refs if we have a reset timeout at the end, and they tell us no, and then we leave the game with the reset timeout, it’s pretty frustrating. – Breanna Stewart

During the game in Atlanta’s State Farm Arena on October 7, 2026, league rules permitted each team two team timeouts and one reset timeout in overtime. Such a timeout allows a team to advance the ball without a sideline huddle. Stewart recounted asking referee Kevin Fahy about the reset timeout, only to be told incorrectly by the officiating team that no timeouts remained.

A turnover by New York allowed Atlanta’s Angel Reese to secure victory by sinking crucial free throws. The Liberty’s last-second shot attempt was unsuccessful, sealing their loss.

ESPN later reported that officials’ responses were delayed by two hours, leading to questions about communicated decisions during the game. Crew chief Fatou Cissoko-Stephens confirmed with partner Fahy that New York had a reset timeout, though this was not conveyed to Stewart in time.

Liberty officials have approached the league for clarity. Coach Chris DeMarco expressed frustration, noting miscommunications with multiple staff members.

Atlanta’s coach Karl Smesko acknowledged that he expected the Liberty to have advanced the ball, timing the play in their favor. Cissoko-Stephens remarked that tracking timeouts is a team’s responsibility, even though official stats staff keep count.

Sabrina Ionescu admitted fault for a late-game error, causing a significant turnover in the final moments. She acknowledged her role and the necessity to improve.

The Dream’s win was bolstered by strong performances, with six players scoring in double figures, including Angel Reese and Jordin Canada, each with 23 points. Allisha Gray of the Dream was absent due to a finger injury.

New York faces difficult odds, needing to make history by overcoming a 2-0 deficit to win the best-of-five series. Game 3 will shift to Brooklyn, New York, on Friday night.