Atlanta Dream vs New York Liberty Picks and Prediction for Friday October 9, 2026

The Atlanta Dream will be on the road Friday night for game 3 of their WNBA Semifinals matchup in Brooklyn, NY, against the New York Liberty. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM with coverage on ESPN2. Atlanta finished the regular season 30-14 overall and enters game 3 of this series Friday night up 2-0 after an overtime win at home last time out. The New York Liberty will welcome the home crowd Friday night, looking to get back in this series. New York finished the regular season 8 games above .500 but have struggled in this series as they have their backs to the wall coming into Friday.  DraftKings has the Liberty as a -3.5 Favorite and a -162 on the money line. The Dream come into Game 3 as a +136 on the Money line, with the total set at 170.5. Be sure to stay in the action with all our WNBA Picks.

Atlanta Looks to end the series

The Atlanta Dream offense has been consistent all season, averaging 91.3 points on 44% shooting from the floor, and they have upped their scoring, averaging 94.5 points per game across their last 4 wins, and they are averaging 96.5 points per game in this series. Defensively, Atlanta has been stout, holding opponents to 83 points per game overall. Jordin Canada is leading the Atlanta offense in the playoffs, averaging 19.3 points and 8.2 assists per game. Rhyne Howard is second on the roster, averaging 18.8 points, and Allisha Gray is third on the team, averaging 17 points per game. Angel Reese is also averaging 17 points per game in the playoffs, and leads Atlanta, pulling in 8.2 rebounds.

Offensively, Atlanta did the job in Game 2 of this series, scoring 101 points, including 13 in overtime, on 40% shooting from the floor and 40% from beyond the arc. Jordin Canada and Angel Reese led the Atlanta offense in Game 2 of this series, scoring 23 points apiece. Rhyne Howard added 18 points, and Naz Hillmon chipped in a third-best 12 points in 44 minutes. DeWanna Bonner was the 5th Atlanta starter in double digits with 10 points in 34 minutes.

Key Injury Report for Atlanta:

• Allisha Gray (Out) – Hand
• Matilde Vila (Out) – Coach’s Decision
• Brionna Jones (OFS) - Leg

New York looks to push to game 4

The New York Liberty have been an offensive-minded team this season, averaging 89.6 points on 46% shooting from the field. Defensively, New York has been solid enough, allowing 84.8 points per game this season, though they have allowed 92 points per game across their last 3  losses. Breanna Stewart is leading New York in the postseason, averaging 27.3 points per game. Sabrina Ionescu is second on the roster, averaging 17 points and leading the team, dishing out 5.2 assists. Jonquel Jones is averaging a third-best 15.5 points and leads NY, pulling in 9.2 rebounds per game.

New York shot the ball well in Game 2 of this series, converting on 55% from the floor and 48% from beyond the arc, resulting in 98 points, but New York missed 7 free throws and turned the ball over 17 times in the loss. Breanna Stewart led the way for the New York offense with 35 points on 21 shots in 43 minutes. Jonquel Jones added a second-best 21 points on 11 shots, and Sabrina Ionescu was the third starter in double digits with 10 points on 8 shots. Marine Fauthoux led the way off the New York bench with 20 points on ten shots in 31 minutes.

Key Injury Report for New York:

• Satou Sabally (OFS) – Concussion
• Elisabeth Balogun (Out) – Not injury-related
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Atlanta Dream vs New York Liberty Picks and Prediction

Pick: Atlanta Dream +3.5 (-108)

Atlanta +3.5 is the side pick for Game 3. New York returns home facing elimination and should benefit from playing in front of its home crowd, but Atlanta has demonstrated enough offensive consistency to lean their way. The Dream won Game 1 by 10 points before surviving a much closer 101-98 overtime battle in Game 2. Atlanta has won  9 of its last 10 games and averaged 93.7 points during that stretch, while New York has gone 5-5 and averaged 85.1 points. The Liberty have the talent to extend the series, but Atlanta has already demonstrated its ability to execute in close situations. With the Dream holding a commanding 2-0 series advantage, New York must find a way to slow down an Atlanta offense that has scored at least 92 points in both meetings. Expect another competitive matchup and take the 3.5 points with Atlanta.

Pick: Over 172.5 (-112)

Over 172.5 is the preferred total for Game 3. The first two games of this series have produced 174 and 199 combined points, with both contests exceeding Friday's posted number. Atlanta has scored 92 and 101 points, while New York has contributed 82 and 98, demonstrating that both offenses are capable of producing against the opposing defense. Although Game 2 required overtime to reach 199 points, the teams had already combined for 180 points in regulation, clearing Friday's total before the extra period. New York faces elimination and should be aggressive offensively, particularly with the series returning to its home floor. Atlanta has averaged 93.7 points over its last 10 games, and the Dream have consistently found ways to generate offense throughout their recent winning stretch. With both teams showing the ability to score against one another, look for another high-scoring contest and take the Over 172.5.

Final Picks: Atlanta Dream +3.5 (-108) and Over 172.5 (-112)