The Atlanta Dream Turned the Liberty Every Which Way but Loose

ATLANTA—The Atlanta Dream entered the playoffs as contenders. But after taking down the Liberty 92-82 in Game 1 of the WNBA Semifinals, Atlanta is starting to look like the team to beat.

And leading the charge, you may ask? None other than Jordin Canada. The 5-foot-6 guard out of UCLA has been the engine behind Atlanta’s postseason run, making her presence felt on both ends of the floor and looking like one of the best players on the court each and every night.

Her 25-point performance today only solidified what has become increasingly clear throughout these playoffs: the Dream go as Canada goes. And with the way she’s playing right now, Atlanta might just go all the way.

After Allisha Gray went down, Canada said the team told Gray in the locker room that they were going to “bring it for her.” And that’s what they did.

ATLANTA, GA - Jordin Canada drives to the paint, splitting Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones, to score 2 points on a layup at State Farm Arena.

Image via the Atlanta Dream.

The identity of the Atlanta Dream has been their sheer athleticism, the defensive pressure they put on their opponents in the passing lanes, and their ability to create chaos in the open floor at all times. And the guard you have to look out for the most when you’re dribbling the ball is Canada.

Her five steals tied the mark for the most in an Atlanta Dream postseason game, while her ninth point of the night pushed her to 200 career postseason points. But Canada’s impact went well beyond the individual milestones.

Small guard. Big impact.

At 31 years old, Jordin Canada may be playing the most complete basketball of her career. She averaged a career-high 7.3 assists during the regular season while shooting a career-best 43.1 percent from the field, adding 11.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game. Canada has scored more before—her 13.3 points per game in 2023 remain a career high—but she has never combined scoring, playmaking, efficiency and defense quite like this.

The Women’s Cut asked Canada what it meant to her to make such a significant impact, not only in this game but throughout the entire season, especially when discounting smaller guards has become commonplace, she said: “It doesn’t matter about height, it’s all about the heart that you have. And when I go out there, I know I’m one of the best players on the floor, and that’s how I act.”

Although we could discuss Canada’s impact for the rest of this article, DeWanna Bonner delivered one of her best postseason performances since joining Atlanta, finishing with 23 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals in 30 minutes. She typically plays 20. Bonner credited Coach Karl Smesko for managing her minutes without her needing to ask.

ATLANTA, GA - DeWanna Bonner gets instruction from the bench during a game vesus the New York Liberty at State Farm Arena. Image via the Atlanta Dream.

ATLANTA, GA - Angel Reese celebrates a steal versus the New York Liberty at State Farm Arena. Image via the Atlanta Dream.

ATLANTA, GA - DeWanna Bonner gets instruction from the bench during a game vesus the New York Liberty at State Farm Arena. Image via the Atlanta Dream.

Angel's defense is making life miserable for everyone.

Angel Reese added 17 points, seven rebounds, four steals and three blocks, providing another disruptive presence defensively while giving Atlanta production inside. When defended straight up by Reese, Breanna Stewart shot 2-for-9 from the field.

The Atlanta Dream’s win over the Liberty marks their first semifinal-round win since 2018, and seeing that they are the last undefeated team remaining in the postseason, they have the momentum.

The Final Cut

With Bonner’s veteran leadership and an intense defensive effort from Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard and Canada, the Dream have all the momentum heading into Game 2. After Allisha Gray couldn’t finish the first game due to an injury to her shooting hand, Atlanta responded with the pressure and athleticism that have defined this team all season. The Dream forced the Liberty into difficult possessions and created chaos on the other end. If Gray can return, the Dream will have the depth and defensive edge to keep this series in their control.