Dream fall 68-63 in Game 7

The Atlanta Dream lost their pursuit of a WNBA championship by a margin of five points on Saturday, falling to the New York Liberty 68-63 in Game 7 of the finals. The defeat ended the team's season after a 2-0 start in the series, leaving the franchise without a title for the third year in a row.

The Liberty controlled the final minutes of the contest, closing out the game 13-3 to seal the victory. Atlanta finished the series with a 2-0 lead in the first two games, but New York adjusted its offense to score 80 points in the third game and 83 points in the fourth. The Dream attempted 31 three-pointers, making 13, while the Liberty attempted 30 and made 8.

Head coach Karl Smesko emphasized the pride he feels for the roster despite the heartbreaking loss. “I love our team,” Smesko said. “I’m proud of our players, the season they have had is remarkable. Obviously, it’s beyond frustrating that we didn’t finish what we set out to do today but it doesn’t change how I feel about our players. I love them.”

Smesko attributed the loss to the team's inability to handle the defensive pressure in the closing seconds. The Dream allowed the Liberty to score uncontested points in the final minutes, a lapse that the coach described as a lack of focus. “We really struggled with our defensive actions in the last minute of the game,” Smesko said. “We got sloppy and we gave up points that we didn’t have to give up.”

The team will return to training camp in the spring to begin preparations for the next season. The franchise remains focused on maintaining its status as a top contender in the league. Smesko noted that the experience of reaching the final game three times in two years provides a foundation for future success. “We’re a proud group,” he said. “We’re a team that believes in what we’re doing, and we’re going to keep getting better.”

The Dream will spend the offseason evaluating their roster and making necessary adjustments. The organization aims to return to the finals next year, continuing its effort to bring the championship to Atlanta. The loss leaves the team with a record of 10-8 in the playoffs for the season.

The final score of 68-63 stands as the margin of defeat in the deciding game. The Liberty secured the title after forcing the series to a seventh game. The Dream will regroup in the spring for the start of the new season.