Angel Reese powers Dream to controversial overtime win vs. Liberty to take 2-0 series lead in WNBA semifinals

The Atlanta Dream held on for a 101-98 overtime win over the New York Liberty in Game 2 on Wednesday, putting them up 2-0 in the best-of-five series as the action shifts to New York for Game 3 on Friday night. The game was back-and-forth throughout, and New York needed a 3-pointer with 4.5 seconds left in regulation to force overtime. And in the waning seconds of that extra period, the existence of the Liberty's reset timeout caused confusion and controversy in the aftermath. At the end of overtime, New York was inbounding and had its reset timeout. In a head-scratching decision, the Liberty opted not to use it. The baseline inbounds pass intended for a well-guarded Marine Johannes at halfcourt skipped off her right hand. Breanna Stewart was able to collect it and threw a desperation heave toward the bucket that fell short.After the game, Stewart said she asked the refs if New York had a reset timeout, and they said no. The pool report with the officiating crew chief after the game stated otherwise — that Stewart was standing near the referee when he confirmed that the Liberty had a reset timeout left. The Liberty have made an official inquiry about the situation, Yahoo Sports' Cassandra Negley confirmed.Angel Reese steps up yet againDefensive Player of the Year Angel Reese dominated, finishing with 23 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks. She also hit two free throws to extend the Dream's lead to three to ice the game and give Atlanta the cushion it won with. ANGEL. REESE. 🚨23 PTS7 REB2 AST2 BLKS8-16 FGShe helped ATL claim Game 2 in Overtime presented by @CapellaU!NYL-ATL | ESPN | 2026 WNBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel | @madebygoogle pic.twitter.com/cY8szOatLa— WNBA (@WNBA) October 8, 2026 The Dream did it all without leading scorer Allisha Gray, who was sidelined with a hand injury she sustained in the Game 1 win. Jordin Canada, along with Reese, helped to make up for Gray's absence. Canada finished with 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting with 5 rebounds and 8 assists. Defense has been Atlanta's strength all season, and that continued Wednesday night as it forced 17 turnovers and turned them into 28 points. New York forced just nine turnovers and converted them into 10 points. Atlanta extended possessions and got second chances with 11 offensive boards, five of them from Reese. The Dream also took advantage of their 23 free-throw attempts, hitting 21 of them. New York rookie Marine Fauthoux had a breakout game, finishing with a career-high 20 points in 31 minutes, plus 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Fauthoux not only hit the 3-pointer to send the game to overtime, but also another big 3 in the extra period to keep it close. She was 8 of 10 from the field and 4 of 6 from 3.MARINE CLUTCH pic.twitter.com/U1Lf5bvLT7— Shabazz 💫 (@ShowCaseShabazz) October 8, 2026 Stewart had 25 points in the first half, but Atlanta switched its defensive game plan to focus more on her, and she was held to just 10 points in the second half and overtime. "Stewie" still finished with a double-double, the only player to do so, thanks to 11 boards. Game 3, where the Dream have a chance to complete the sweep, will be held on Friday night in New York. Yahoo Sports tracked all the updates, highlights, and more from Game 2 of the WNBA semifinals: