Atlanta Dream vs New York Liberty Picks and Prediction for Monday September 21 2026

The Atlanta Dream visit the New York Liberty at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on Monday, September 21, 2026. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET with coverage on Peacock, NBCSN and WWOR-TV. Atlanta enters at 28-14 overall and 13-7 on the road, while New York is 25-16 overall and 14-6 at home. The Dream have won three straight games and sit atop the Eastern Conference, while the Liberty have won two straight and are 2.5 games behind Atlanta. New York won the first meeting of the season 104-90 in Atlanta, giving the Liberty a 1-0 advantage in the season series. ESPN's matchup predictor gives New York a narrow 53.9% to 46.1% edge. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. Be sure to check out our free WNBA picks for more WNBA predictions throughout the season.

Atlanta Brings a Three-Game Winning Streak to Brooklyn

Atlanta enters Monday playing some of its best basketball of the season. The Dream are 4-1 over their last five games, with victories of 106-81, 103-59, 89-81 and 78-71 surrounding a 101-83 loss. Atlanta has scored 459 points and allowed 393 during that five-game stretch, an average of 91.8 points scored and 78.6 allowed. That is an impressive +13.2 average scoring margin, and the Dream have won their last three games by a combined 57 points.

The season-long numbers support Atlanta's position at the top of the Eastern Conference. The Dream average 91.5 points while allowing 85.0 per game, producing a +6.5 scoring differential. Atlanta shoots 44% from the field and averages 35.7 rebounds, 21.5 assists, 3.3 blocks and 9.0 steals. The Dream hold statistical advantages over New York in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals, although the Liberty have the better field-goal percentage and shot-blocking numbers.

Atlanta's recent defense may be the most important part of this matchup. The Dream have held four of their last five opponents to 81 points or fewer and have allowed only 140 total points across their last two games. Their ability to force turnovers is another potential advantage, with Atlanta averaging 9.0 steals compared with 6.2 for New York. The challenge is carrying that production onto the road against a Liberty team that has been excellent at Barclays Center.

New York Has Been Difficult to Beat at Barclays Center

New York enters at 25-16 overall and has won three of its last five games. The Liberty defeated Minnesota 93-81 in their most recent completed game after an 85-66 victory in their previous outing. Their other win during the five-game stretch was a 109-102 result, while their two losses came by scores of 79-60 and 93-86. New York has scored 433 points and allowed 421 across those five games, averaging 86.6 points scored and 84.2 allowed.

The Liberty average 89.9 points per game while allowing 86.7, giving them a +3.2 scoring differential for the season. New York shoots 46% from the field, two percentage points better than Atlanta, while averaging 35.3 rebounds and 20.7 assists. The Liberty also average 4.2 blocks and 6.2 steals. New York does not have Atlanta's overall scoring margin, but its shooting efficiency gives the Liberty a way to keep pace with the Dream's productive offense.

Home court is the most significant advantage for New York. The Liberty are 14-6 at Barclays Center compared with Atlanta's still-strong 13-7 road record. New York also has the confidence of already beating Atlanta by 14 points earlier this season, although that game was played in Atlanta. With both teams entering on winning streaks and separated by only three victories in the standings, the rematch shapes up as a considerably more competitive contest than their first meeting.

Atlanta Dream vs New York Liberty Picks and Prediction

Pick: Atlanta Dream +4.5 or Better

With no confirmed betting line supplied, Atlanta +4.5 or better is the target for the side. New York deserves respect for its 14-6 home record and won the first meeting by 14, but Atlanta's current form makes it difficult to lay multiple possessions against the Dream. Atlanta is 4-1 over its last five, has won three straight and has produced a +66 scoring margin across that five-game sample. The Dream also own the better season scoring differential, average more points, rebounds, assists and steals, and have gone 13-7 away from home. If the market gives Atlanta at least 4.5 points, the Dream offer the stronger side value.

Pick: Under 179.5 or Higher

The Under 179.5 or higher is the preferred total. These teams combine to average 181.4 points per game offensively, but their recent defensive performances point toward a lower ceiling. Atlanta has surrendered only 78.6 points per game over its last five and has held four of those five opponents to 81 or fewer. New York has allowed 81 and 66 in its last two completed games, while three of the Liberty's last five have finished with 172 combined points or fewer. The first meeting reached 194, but the recent defensive improvement on both sides makes a number around 180 more attractive to the Under.

Final Picks: Atlanta Dream +4.5 or Better and Under 179.5 or Higher