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Angel Reese helps Dream push Liberty into dangerous WNBA playoff position
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- Angel Reese helps Dream push Liberty into dangerous WNBA playoff position
Angel Reese helps Dream push Liberty into dangerous WNBA playoff position originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream picked an ideal time to produce one of their most balanced performances of the season. Reese finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds Monday as Atlanta defeated the New York Liberty 95-84 at Barclays Center.
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Jordin Canada led the Dream with 19 points, DeWanna Bonner scored 17 and Rhyne Howard added 16. Atlanta improved to 29-14 and moved within one victory of clinching home-court advantage in the first round of the WNBA playoffs.
The result was far more damaging for New York . The Liberty can no longer finish higher than fifth in the standings and could fall as low as eighth before the regular season ends Thursday.
Reese helps Atlanta move closer to top-four seed
Reese's double-double gave the Dream an interior presence to complement their strong perimeter scoring. Atlanta's four leading scorers combined for 70 points, making it difficult for New York to commit additional defenders to Reese around the basket.
The victory also gave the Dream a clear path to securing fourth place. Atlanta can clinch a top-four seed by defeating New York again Wednesday or with one Indiana Fever loss in their final two games.
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A top-four finish would allow Atlanta to host Game 1 of its first-round playoff series. That advantage carries added importance under the WNBA's best-of-three opening-round format. The higher seed hosts Games 1 and 3, if necessary, while the lower seed hosts Game 2.
Atlanta's ability to generate offense from multiple positions makes the Dream a difficult postseason matchup. Canada can control tempo, Howard can create shots from the perimeter, Bonner brings extensive playoff experience and Reese remains one of the league's most productive rebounders.
MORE: Lynx announce concerning Olivia Miles injury before Caitlin Clark matchup
Liberty facing first-round road series
New York's championship path became considerably more difficult Monday. The Liberty dropped to 26-17 and are now fighting Washington and Dallas for positioning in the bottom half of the playoff bracket.
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New York will get an immediate rematch against Atlanta on Wednesday, but a victory would only help the Liberty avoid falling further. It cannot restore home-court advantage.
That is a significant development for a roster built to contend for a championship. The WNBA playoff field is already set. Minnesota , Golden State, Las Vegas , Atlanta, Indiana , New York, Washington and Dallas have qualified. The order remains unsettled.
Minnesota needs one win or one Golden State loss to secure the No. 1 seed. The Lynx face Indiana on Tuesday and Thursday, while Golden State closes with Portland and Las Vegas.
The final games also could determine whether Atlanta faces Indiana, New York, Washington or Dallas in the opening round. Reese and the Dream entered the week trying to secure one home playoff game.
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After Monday's win, they may have announced themselves as a team no lower seed wants to face.
