Hopes for a consecutive title run are wearing off for the defending champions, who started the season 9-0. And one team threatening to take its throne? Atlanta Dream. Well, Karl Smesko’s squad is halfway there, taking New York’s no.2 spot on the table, which they had held onto halfway through the season.

The last time the two teams met, Liberty was a better team. Leonie Fiebich had led with a 21-point performance, while Breanna Stewart followed closely with 18 for a 79-72 finish. It also meant New York had gained a 2-1 lead in the series. But over a month since then, and these seem like two new teams, with injuries and losses piling up on Sandy Brondello’s side. So what are the odds they pull away with a win? 

Where to Watch This Game?

Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025

Time: 2:00 p.m ET

Venue: Gateway Center, College Park, Georgia

Where to watch: Cable users can tune into CBS, while streaming is available on Paramount+ and via the WNBA’s league pass.

Injury Report

New York Liberty

• Breanna Stewart: Out (Knee)

The New York Liberty will continue to be without one of their most important players, Breanna Stewart. After suffering the injury against the Los Angeles Sparks on July 26, Stewie has missed the last 12 games. As per recent reports, she is targeting the Liberty’s August 28 game against the Washington Mystics as a potential comeback game. 

• Isabelle Harrison: Out (Concussion Protocol)

After missing the last five games, Isabelle Harrison will continue to remain in the league’s concussion protocol, per the latest reports. She will remain out as long as she doesn’t pass all the concussion protocol set by the league. 

• Nyara Sabally: Out (Knee)

Nyara Sabally has missed the last 14 games due to a knee injury. Though she will miss the game against the Atlanta Dream, she is relatively close to returning. According to head coach Sandy Brondello, Sabally has started ramping up and is targeting a return before the season ends. 

• Sabrina Ionescu: Game Time Decision (Foot)

At the last minute, defending 3-point champion Sabrina Ionescu has also appeared on the injury list. According to a recent report, Ionescu is ‘Questionable’ for the game against the Atlanta Dream.

Atlanta Dream

• Jordin Canada: Out (Hamstring)

After suffering a hamstring injury against the Phoenix Mercury on August 14, Jordin Canada was expected to miss at least 2 weeks. Therefore, she is ruled out for the all-crucial game against the New York Liberty.

Predicted Starting Lineup

New York Liberty

•  Natasha Cloud (#9)
• Leonie Fiebich (#13)
• Sabrina Ionescu (#20)
• Jonquel Jones (#35)
• Emma Meesseman (#33)

Atlanta Dream

• Allisha Gray (#15)
• Naz Hilmon (#00)
• Rhyne Howard (#10)
• Brionna Jones (#24)
• Te-Hina Paopao (#2)

Will the New York Liberty Win This Game?

According to ESPN’s matchup predictor, the New York Liberty has a slight edge to win the game at 51%. In statistical metrics, the Liberty has a better offense and scores 86.4 points per game, compared to the Dream’s 83.4. Meanwhile, Atlanta has a better defense and allows just 77.4 points per game compared to New York’s 81.7. Momentum, though, is on Atlanta’s side. 

The Allisha Gray-led side has won 8 of its last 10 games, including the most recent one against the Lynx. Gray, an MVP hopeful, dropped a 27-piece in what many believed to be a playoff preview. Naz Hilmon is another player coming strong for the Dream. Averaging 8.3 points and 5.9 rebounds coming off the bench, she is making a case for Sixth Woman of the Year. For Liberty, on the other hand, things couldn’t have been more different.

The Breanna Stewart-less side has dropped 5 of their last 10 games. One that stung the most? A 91-85 loss to the no.12 Chicago Sky. Despite Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu’s best efforts of 25 and 16 points, respectively, it wasn’t enough to falter the Windy City bigs. What truly lost them the game? Rebounds. The Liberty have struggled all season on the boards, being outperformed by the Sky 42 -27 and 42-29 against Connecticut.

If Ionescu & Co. manage to tick that box, maybe they gain an edge. But with the likes of Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones in the paint, it is going to be no easy task. So will the Liberty pull off a win despite all their injuries? Or will the Atlanta Dream level the series and consolidate their grip on the second seed?