After missing Wednesday's Game 2 between the Atlanta Dream and New York Liberty, there was hope that Dream guard Allisha Gray would return for Friday's Game 3. Gray was dealing with a hand injury she suffered in Game 1 on Sunday. Leading up to the game on Friday, Gray went through warmups despite being listed as questionable.
ESPN's Alexa Philippou reported that Gray also participated in the team's shootaround. Just a few hours before tip-off, it was believed Gray would be competing that night. However, about an hour before the game started, the Dream ruled Gray out for the series-clinching contest, ESPN's Kareem Copeland reported.
The Dream lead the best-of-five series 2-0. There aren't further details on what led to the Dream's decision to rule Gray out, especially since she was seen making baskets shortly before the designation. It is likely a precautionary move as the Dream would want to save Gray for a potential WNBA Finals appearance.
DeWanna Bonner started in Gray's spot in Game 2, and is expected to do the same on Friday night. She put up 10 points, four rebounds and three assists. Gray showed out during the Dream's round one series versus the Washington Mystics.
She scored 22 points in each of the two games. During the 2026 regular season, Gray was the Dream's top scorer as she averaged 19 points per game. She also averaged 3.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.
She was the only player on the roster to start in all 44 games during the season. So, her missing out on competition is a rarity. If the Liberty eke out a win on Friday night to force a Game 4, then the contest will be played on Sunday, Oct. 11.
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