The place to look at Liberty vs. Dream: TV channel, dwell stream as N.Y. will likely be with out Sabrina Ionescu in Atlanta

Two of the highest contenders to win the WNBA title are going through off when the Atlanta Dream host the New York Liberty on Saturday. The sport will tip off at 2 p.m. ET on CBS. 

The Dream have exceeded expectations this season, most not too long ago with Thursday’s 75-73 victory over the Lynx, the No. 1 workforce within the standings. Atlanta is presently No. 2 with a 23-13 document. 

In the meantime, the Liberty are 22-14 on the season and are No. 4 within the standings. They suffered a disappointing 91-85 loss to the Chicago Sky on Thursday regardless of a 25-point efficiency from Jonquel Jones.

New York will likely be shorthanded on Saturday as Breanna Stewart (knee), Nyara Sabally (knee) and Isabelle Harrison (concussion) have but to return. Sabrina Ionescu’s title was added to the harm checklist after hurting her foot towards Chicago. Ionescu is out for Saturday, however coach Sandy Brondello stated she “escaped something main” and needs to be again quickly.

The place to look at New York Liberty vs. Atlanta Dream

Date: Saturday, Aug. 23 | Time: 2 p.m. ET
Location: Gateway Middle Enviornment  — School Park, Georgia
TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+
Odds (by way of BetMGM): Dream -6.5, O/U 159.5

Sequence breakdown

The Liberty are 2-1 towards the Dream this season, with each wins taking place in New York. 

Their most up-to-date encounter was on July 13, which the Liberty received 79-72 after overcoming a 19-point first-half deficit. Leonie Fiebich led the way in which with 21 factors, whereas Stewart had a double-double of 18 factors and 10 rebounds. Jonquel Jones didn’t play in that recreation because of an ankle harm. Jones will likely be out there this Saturday, however Stewart is presently out.

The Dream had a balanced effort with 5 gamers scoring in double figures, led by Allisha Grey’s 16 factors. Rhyne Howard, Atlanta’s second-leading scorer, was out due to a knee harm however is again within the lineup.

Liberty struggling with out Stewart

Stewart suffered a bone bruise in her proper knee in late July, and her absence has positively been felt. New York is 17-7 when she performs and 5-7 with out her. Stewart is among the Liberty’s most constant scorers with over 18 factors per recreation whereas additionally being a useful presence on protection. 

She has been an All-Defensive first workforce choice for 3 consecutive years because of her size and talent to be disruptive wherever on the courtroom. Earlier than her harm, the Liberty had a defensive ranking of 97.2, which has dropped to 100.6.

However no matter accidents, coach Sandy Brondello stated the largest setback for her workforce has been inconsistency. Towards Chicago, the Liberty led by three factors getting into the fourth, however went the ultimate six minutes of the sport with out making a single discipline objective.

“Anybody can beat anybody on this league. Anybody can win this championship; it is huge open,” Brondello stated. “However our inconsistencies are mind-boggling at occasions, as a result of we play so nice. We’re driving this actually huge wave of highs and lows, however now we have a chance to enter Atlanta now and beat them, which is an enormous recreation for us.” 

Atlanta is a critical contender

The Dream had six consecutive dropping seasons getting into 2025, and now they’re one win away from setting a brand new franchise document for single-season wins. The workforce has a variety of momentum with wins in eight of its final 10 video games. Grey scored 27 factors towards the Lynx on Thursday, marking her fifteenth 20-point recreation of the season. Atlanta additionally turned the one workforce to have defeated Minnesota a number of occasions in 2025.

Grey is main the workforce in factors, assists and steals, and has been probably the most spectacular gamers within the league.

“She is within the MVP dialog as a result of she is doing all of it, together with protection and rebounding,” Dream coach Karl Smesko stated. “I am actually glad. I positively assume she deserves to be within the dialog. Undoubtedly deserves to be a first-team All-WNBA participant as a result of she has been that good this yr.”