Canada, Bonner power Atlanta Dream past Liberty 92-82 in WNBA semifinal Game 1

Jordin Canada waited until the second half to take over, then made sure the Atlanta Dream didn't need a second invitation. Canada scored 20 of her 25 points after the break and added five steals as Atlanta turned a slim halftime lead into a 92-82 victory over the New York Liberty on Sunday in Game 1 of their best-of-five WNBA semifinal series.

The Dream converted Liberty turnovers into points — a margin that proved decisive even as New York kept within striking distance for much of the first half.

The turning point arrived in the second quarter when Atlanta's Allisha Gray left the game with a left-hand injury. Rather than disrupting the Dream's rhythm, the absence seemed to redistribute the offensive load. DeWanna Bonner, in her 17th WNBA season since entering the league in 2009, stepped into the void and finished with 23 points.

New York had led at halftime, but the Liberty's turnover problems compounded in the third quarter as Atlanta's defense — and Canada's five steals — made clean possessions nearly impossible to sustain.

For the Liberty, the loss continues a familiar pattern of semifinal appearances without a title. New York is making its third appearance in the WNBA semifinals in the past four years. The Dream won the regular-season series 2-1 over New York, with the final two meetings being relatively comfortable Atlanta victories.

Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday in Atlanta, with Game 3 to follow on Friday. If the series extends, Game 4 would be played October 11 and a decisive Game 5 on October 14.

Why it matters — Atlanta's ability to force turnovers and dominate the third quarter gives the Dream a blueprint for the series, while New York must solve its ball-security problems — and potentially Gray's injury — before Wednesday's Game 2 or risk falling into a deep hole.

Reported by yahoo.com, cbssports.com, cbc.ca