Angel Reese posted 22 points, nine rebounds and two blocks as the Atlanta Dream swept their WNBA semifinal series in three games with an 85-83 win over the host New York Liberty on Friday night.

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The Dream, who have never won a league title, are headed to the WNBA Finals for the fourth time in franchise history and the first time since 2013.

“When I came to Atlanta, I knew what I was getting,” Reese said of her arrival from the Chicago Sky in an offseason trade.

“This team has poured so much into me. We poured into each other. This is my moment. I’m supposed to be here, and I’m just so grateful.

“Kudos to New York — hell of a team, hell of a year, great vets.

“But I’m proud of our team. Atlanta, we’re going to the Finals, baby.”

Fourth-seeded Atlanta will face second-seeded Golden State in the Finals, beginning with Game 1 on Oct. 17 in San Francisco. The Valkyries eliminated the defending-champion, third-seeded Las Vegas Aces with an 87-77 overtime win in Game 3 on Friday.

Atlanta made its final 20 free throws and 22 of 24 overall, including two by DeWanna Bonner with 6.2 seconds left that gave the Dream a four-point lead.

The Dream also got 21 points from Rhyne Howard, 19 points and a game-high 11 assists from point guard Jordin Canada and 13 points along with a team-high 13 rebounds from Bonner.

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“Finally, we take a little sigh of relief,” Howard said. “Our defense, man, whatever is happening on the other end, our defense never fails us, and we showed that throughout this series and throughout this season.”

Eighth-seeded New York was led by Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart, who each scored 26 points. Jones added game highs in rebounds (14) and blocks (three). Sabrina Ionescu had 12 points on 4-for-12 shooting as the only other Liberty player in double figures.

It wasn’t enough for New York, which won the league title in 2024, the Commissioner’s Cup earlier this season and upset the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in the first round of the playoffs.

Valkyries rally for OT win to sweep champion Aces

Gabby Williams scored eight points in overtime as the Golden State Valkyries completed a three-game sweep of the defending champion Las Vegas Aces with an 87-77 road victory on Friday, advancing to the WNBA Finals in their second year as an expansion franchise. After a Golden State run in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter forced OT, the Valkyries outscored the Aces 16-6 in the extra period to secure the series in convincing fashion.

The second-seeded Valkyries move on to face the fourth-seeded Atlanta Dream, who clinched a Finals berth with a sweep-sealing 85-83 road win over the New York Liberty on Friday. Game 1 of the Finals is scheduled for Oct. 17 in San Francisco. Trailing 69-63, the Valkyries broke off a timely 8-0 spree and took a 71-69 lead on a bucket from Veronica Burton with 1:12 remaining in regulation.

Las Vegas’ Jackie Young tied the game at 71 on a Chelsea Gray-assisted lay-in with 26.6 seconds left. After Williams misfired with five seconds remaining, Gray’s 15-foot shot at the buzzer just barely rimmed out.

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