Izzy Borlase and Atlanta Dream Advance to WNBA Finals After Sweeping New York

Borlase Shines in Debut Season

Izzy Borlase is heading to the WNBA Finals in her very first season. The 22 year old Australian helped the Atlanta Dream secure an 85-83 victory over New York to sweep their semi final series in three games.

Borlase came off the bench in Brooklyn to deliver 10 points, two steals and two rebounds. This comes after a remarkable year where she won a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, won the WNBL MVP in February, and started her WNBA career in May.

Tensions Rise in Brooklyn

The game at Barclays Center brought plenty of tension. After Borlase scored twice in a row during the second quarter, Sabrina Ionescu was called for an offensive foul while setting a screen on her.

Atlanta star Angel Reese took issue with the physicality. Reese and Ionescu exchanged words before teammates and officials stepped in. Minutes later, Jonquel Jones blocked a shot by Reese, leading to more trash talk and double technical fouls.

That was the second technical foul of the post season for Reese. She faces a 500 dollar fine under league rules. Four technical fouls during the playoffs lead to an automatic one game ban.

Closing Out the Series

The finish was tense, but Atlanta held on. New York player Breanna Stewart missed a chance to tie the game at 83-83 after Atlanta turned the ball over with 17.7 seconds remaining.

Reese finished with 22 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Her effort sent Atlanta to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2013. Exactly 364 days earlier, Reese had tweeted about wanting to reach the finals while watching them at home.

Reese said she knew what she was getting when she joined Atlanta in the off season. She said, "This team has poured so much into me. We poured into each other. This is my moment. I'm supposed to be here and I'm just so grateful." She added that "the job isn't done" and that the team is not satisfied.

Finals Matchup Ahead

Atlanta will now play the Golden State Valkyries in a best of seven series that begins on October 17.

The Valkyries squad includes Australian Miela Sowah, though she has not played any minutes in the post season yet. Borlase and the Dream will look to build on their momentum when the title series starts.