Liberty Open Home-and-Home Set with Atlanta Dream in Pivotal Early Season Matchup

Liberty Open Home-and-Home Set with Atlanta Dream in Pivotal Early Season Matchup

 

NEW YORK — May 20, 2025 — The New York Liberty return to Barclays Center tomorrow night for one of the more intriguing early-season matchups on the WNBA calendar as they host the Atlanta Dream to open a quick home-and-road back-to-back set. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. ET in Brooklyn, with both teams looking to build momentum in what’s shaping up to be a highly competitive Eastern Conference.

 

The two-game series between the Liberty and the Dream comes at a critical juncture of the season. With both teams sitting near the top of the standings in the early going, this home-and-road clash presents an opportunity to make a statement — and for the Liberty, to reaffirm their championship ambitions after last season’s Finals heartbreak.

 

Liberty Looking to Reassert Dominance at Home

 

The Liberty (3–1) enter Tuesday’s contest riding a two-game win streak, including an impressive road victory against the Washington Mystics in their last outing. Sabrina Ionescu has been electric in the backcourt, while Breanna Stewart continues to play at an MVP-caliber level, averaging 22.7 points and 9.3 rebounds through the first four games of the season.

 

With Courtney Vandersloot orchestrating the offense and Jonquel Jones finding her rhythm in the paint, New York’s well-balanced attack has looked more cohesive than ever. Head Coach Sandy Brondello emphasized the importance of protecting home court — especially in a season where every game could affect playoff seeding.

 

> “This is the kind of stretch where you want to build your identity,” Brondello said during Monday’s media availability. “Atlanta is a tough, athletic team. We’re going to need to be locked in defensively and execute our game plan if we want to get two wins out of this.”

 

 

 

Barclays Center has been a fortress for the Liberty over the past two seasons, and with a growing fan base and rising national attention, New York will be looking to feed off the home crowd energy before traveling south for the second leg in Atlanta on Thursday.

 

Atlanta Dream: A Young, Talented Threat

 

The Atlanta Dream (2–2) arrive in Brooklyn looking to bounce back after a tight loss to the Connecticut Sun over the weekend. Head coach Tanisha Wright’s squad is young but packed with talent — headlined by All-Star guard Rhyne Howard and rising star forward Alisha Gray.

 

Howard, the 2022 Rookie of the Year, is averaging 18.5 points per game and remains one of the league’s most dynamic perimeter scorers. Gray, known for her two-way prowess, gives Atlanta a legitimate secondary scoring threat while anchoring the defense with her versatility.

 

Atlanta also features Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, who has proven to be a consistent inside presence, and rookie forward Nyara Sabally, who has shown flashes of brilliance early in her debut season. The Dream have made it clear they’re not just a team of the future — they’re here to contend now.

 

> “We know we have the pieces,” Wright said. “It’s about putting it all together, especially in games like this where the margin for error is slim. These are the kind of matchups where you learn a lot about your team.”

 

 

 

Key Matchups to Watch

 

Breanna Stewart vs. Cheyenne Parker-Tyus: Stewart’s ability to stretch the floor and attack from multiple angles puts pressure on any defense, but Parker-Tyus has the physicality and experience to challenge her. Expect a gritty battle in the paint.

 

Sabrina Ionescu vs. Rhyne Howard: While not a traditional point guard battle, both guards will play crucial roles in setting the tone for their teams. Ionescu’s court vision and outside shooting will contrast with Howard’s explosive scoring ability.

 

Bench Production: Both teams boast deeper benches this season. For New York, Kayla Thornton and Nyara Sabally’s older sister, Satou, have stepped up in key moments, while Atlanta will look to Aerial Powers and Haley Jones to keep the energy up when the starters rest.

 

What’s at Stake?

 

Though it’s early in the 40-game WNBA regular season, this home-and-road set could carry significant weight later in the year. The Liberty, still smarting from last year’s Finals loss to the Las Vegas Aces, are intent on setting a dominant tone in the East, while Atlanta hopes to prove it belongs among the league’s elite.

 

Last season, the Liberty won three of four games against the Dream, but all were tightly contested. With both rosters upgraded and fully healthy, fans can expect another nail-biting series.

 

Final Thoughts

 

The WNBA’s Eastern Conference is shaping up to be a fierce battleground in 2025, and this back-to-back set between New York and Atlanta could serve as a playoff preview in the making. For the Liberty, it’s a chance to light up Barclays with a statement win and carry that energy to the road. For the Dream, it’s an opportunity to show they can win in hostile environments and take the next step in their evolution as a franchise.

 

Barclays Center is expected to be buzzing, with fans eager to see their team square off against a fast-rising rival. As the WNBA continues its surge in popularity, this series may very well be one that defines the narrative of the 2025 season.

 

Tip-off is tomorrow night at 7 p.m. ET, broadcast nationally on ESPN2 and locally on YES Network.