What happened: The Atlanta Dream capitalized on a 9-3 scoring run to force a New York Liberty timeout during Game 1 of their WNBA playoff semifinal. The sequence showcased Atlanta converting a defensive stop directly into transition offense, countering after Breanna Stewart blocked a shot earlier in the game.

Why it matters: Atlanta is defending home court after finishing the season with a 32-14 record and a seven-game winning streak. The run builds momentum against an eighth-seeded New York squad attempting a historic postseason upset.

What to watch: Atlanta will try to protect its advantage as the second half of the contest continues.