Liberty Praise Team Effort in Containing Angel Reese in Win Over Dream

The New York Liberty continued their strong run of form on Thursday night with a statement win over the Atlanta Dream, a contest defined by their collective effort to contain one of the league’s most dominant rebounders, Angel Reese. The victory extended New York’s winning streak to six games as the team solidified its position near the top of the standings.

Entering the matchup, the Liberty carried one of the best records in the league and were looking to maintain momentum against a Dream team featuring Reese in her first season in Atlanta. Known for her relentless presence on the glass, Reese posed a significant interior challenge throughout the game.

Despite her impact, New York’s defensive structure and physical approach helped limit some of her most damaging strengths while still contending with her overall offensive production. The game became a test of discipline, effort, and rebounding intensity for both teams.

After the win, both head coach Chris DeMarco and forward Satou Sabally reflected on the challenge of managing Reese’s presence and the broader team effort required to secure the result.

1. Containing A Physical Interior Force

Reese remained a constant interior presence throughout the contest, finishing with 25 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block in 33 minutes of play. Even when limited in certain areas, she continued to impose herself offensively and defensively. DeMarco acknowledged the difficulty of defending her, emphasizing that the game plan centered on limiting Atlanta’s perimeter opportunities while also being prepared for physical battles inside. He noted that the Liberty could accept occasional mistakes as long as their effort remained consistent. New York’s strategy focused on crowding space in the paint and preventing clean second-chance opportunities, forcing Reese to work through contact on nearly every possession. That approach required disciplined rotations and strong rebounding support from all five players on the floor. While Reese still produced a strong stat line, the Liberty felt their collective resistance on the glass was a key factor in shaping the outcome of the game.

2. Sabally Highlights Team Rebounding Effort

Sabally pointed to New York’s collective commitment on the boards as a defining element of the victory, noting the importance of multiple players contributing to contain Reese’s impact. She emphasized the physical nature of the matchup and the need for shared responsibility. Despite Reese’s reputation as one of the league’s premier rebounders, Sabally credited the Liberty’s ability to limit her to nine rebounds as a significant accomplishment. She highlighted the team’s coordination in boxing out and crashing the glass as a unit. The Liberty’s length and physicality allowed them to contest possessions more effectively, disrupting Atlanta’s rhythm in key stretches. That effort helped reduce second-chance scoring opportunities and kept the game under control. Sabally’s own performance added to the team’s balance, as she played a key role on both ends while helping space the floor and support defensive rotations.

3. Balanced Offense Fuels Winning Streak

New York’s win was also powered by a balanced offensive effort, with five players finishing in double figures. That depth allowed the Liberty to maintain pressure even when Atlanta mounted scoring runs. Sabally contributed 19 points, including an efficient 5-of-9 shooting performance from three-point range. Her ability to stretch the floor added another layer to the Liberty’s offensive versatility. Breanna Stewart also delivered a strong double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Marine Johannes added 17 points to help stabilize the offense. The combination of scoring options made New York difficult to defend across all quarters. With the win, the Liberty improved to 9-4 and moved into first place in the Eastern Conference, continuing a six-game winning streak that has positioned them as one of the league’s most consistent contenders.