The 2024 WNBA playoffs will begin with a showdown between last year's runners-up the New York Liberty and their Eastern Conference rivals, the Atlanta Dream in Game 1 of the best-of-three series on Sunday. Led by Breanna Stewart, the Liberty dominated the regular season and finished with the league's best record at 32-8.
Meanwhile, the Dream clinched their playoff spot by securing a win against New York on the final game day, finishing eighth in the standings with a 15-25 record.
The Liberty and Dream faced off four times during the regular season, with New York winning three of those matchups. Historically, the two teams have met in only one previous playoff series, where Atlanta swept New York 2-0 in the best-of-three series in 2010.
Atlanta Dream vs New York Liberty: Preview, Prediction and Odds
Game 1 of the Atlanta Dream vs New York Liberty playoff series is scheduled to take place on Sunday (September 22) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The game will tip-off at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT).
ESPN will broadcast the game live while the live streaming will be available on the WNBA League Pass after the action concludes.
Moneyline: Atlanta Dream (+490) vs New York Liberty (-675)
Spread: Atlanta Dream (+11.5) vs New York Liberty (-11.5)
Total (over/under): Atlanta Dream (o156.5-110) vs New York Liberty (u156.5-110)
Editor's note: The odds could change closer to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.
Atlanta Dream vs New York Liberty: Preview
The Atlanta Dream struggled offensively during the regular season, averaging just 77 points per game, the lowest in the league. Tanisha Wright's squad also ranked last in shooting efficiency, hitting only 40.8% from the field, including 30.8% from three-point range.
Facing the New York Liberty, who allowed just 76.5 points per game this season, presents a significant challenge for Atlanta.
Rhyne Howard (17.3 PPG), Allisha Gray (15.6 PPG), and Tina Charles (14.9 PPG) have been the primary offensive contributors for the Dream. The trio will need to deliver their best performances if Atlanta hopes to pull off an upset against Breanna Stewart and her Liberty teammates.
In contrast, the New York Liberty ranked among the top in most major statistical categories during the regular season. Sandy Brondello's squad boasted the league's second-best offense, averaging 85.6 points per game, while showcasing a selfless, team-oriented style of play. New York ranked second in assists, dishing out 22.8 per game.
Although New York's offense is potent, it will face resistance from the Atlanta Dream, who held opponents to an average of 79.8 points per game during the season.
The Liberty's star-studded roster is led by the dynamic duo of Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu. Stewart averaged 20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game, while Ionescu contributed 18.2 points and 6.2 assists per game.
Veteran Jonquel Jones and standout rookie Leonie Fiebich also played key roles throughout the regular season, helping New York secure the league's best record.
Atlanta Dream vs New York Liberty: Predicted Starting Lineups
Atlanta Dream: Allisha Gray, Jordin Canada, Naz Hillmon, Rhyne Howard and Tina Charles.
New York Liberty: Courtney Vandersloot, Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton and Jonquel Jones.
Atlanta Dream vs New York Liberty: Prediction
The New York Liberty are undoubtedly the favorites, not only to win Game 1 at home but to potentially sweep the Atlanta Dream 2-0 and advance to the next round.
Given the firepower on their roster, expect the Liberty to start their playoff campaign with a dominant victory, likely by a margin of more than 10 points.