Lady Liberty: New York shows love for Bec Allen's career

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Aussie WNBA star Rebecca Allen has had her career celebrated in style after the New York Liberty put on a ceremony for the 11-year veteran in her last regular season game before she hangs up the boots.

Allen, who played eight of her 11 seasons with the Liberty, announced her decision to retire from all basketball in early August at just 33-years-old, saying it was "my moment" to step away from the game.

The 2014 WNBL Defensive Player of the Year had her illustrious career celebrated by the Liberty before the last regular season game, ironically against fellow Aussie Isobel Borlase and the Atlanta Dream, and Allen even had her New York teammate and friend Anneli Maley by her side.

Allen's best season in the WNBA came in 2021, for the Liberty, where they went 25-13 and the Victorian product averaged 9.2 points per game and shot the three-ball at 38.1% in almost 25 minutes per game.

The Olympian also enjoyed a successful career with the Australian Opals, winning three medals at FIBA World Championships and competing at the 2021 Tokyo Games.

Unfortunately for Allen and the Liberty, Borlase and the Dream ruined the occasion with an 83-65 victory at the Barclays Center to continue their strong recent form.

Her career isn't done yet though, with the Liberty set to take on the top seed Minnesota Lynx in the first round of the WNBA Playoffs while the Dream will meet Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever or Aussie Georgia Amoore and the Washington Mystics in the first round.

Match Report

Atlanta produced a wire-to-wire showing to defeat the New York Liberty 83–65, with Allisha Gray leading the way in a 21-point road win. The Dream's defensive stranglehold in the second quarter proved the turning point, holding the Liberty to just seven points and building a lead they never surrendered.

Game Snapshot

• Quarter scores: Atlanta 18-23-17-25, New York 19-7-18-21
• Atlanta shooting: 39% FG │ 29% 3PT │ 87% FT
• New York shooting: 36% FG │ 17% 3PT │ 91% FT
• Rebounds: New York 40, Atlanta 35
• Assists: Atlanta 25, New York 15
• Turnovers: Atlanta 6, New York 18

Gray sets the tone

Allisha Gray delivered a complete performance, pouring in 24 points on 8-of-17 shooting, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc and a perfect 4-of-4 at the line. She added five assists, four rebounds and three steals across 33 minutes, finishing with a game-high +21 rating.

Her scoring gave Atlanta a reliable engine every time New York threatened to steady itself, and her efficiency from three tilted the shooting battle firmly in the Dream's favour.

Second-quarter shutdown swings the game

After a tight opening term that saw New York edge ahead 19–18, Atlanta responded with a suffocating second quarter, outscoring the Liberty 23–7 to seize control at halftime. The Dream's defence forced repeated Liberty misfires and turnovers, with New York's shooting numbers collapsing under sustained pressure.

That 16-point quarter margin effectively decided the contest, giving Atlanta a cushion that only grew as the game wore on.

Supporting cast steps up

Naz Hillmon backed Gray with 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting and four rebounds, while Jordin Canada added 12 points and five assists with a +21 rating of her own. Rhyne Howard finished with eight points, six assists and four rebounds, orchestrating Atlanta's ball movement across 34 minutes.

Off the bench, DeWanna Bonner provided a valuable double-double contribution with nine points and eight rebounds, and Angel Reese chipped in six points, six boards, three assists and three steals in just 17 minutes. Atlanta's 25 assists on 30 field goals underlined the team's connected offensive approach.

Liberty struggle to find rhythm

New York never recovered from its second-quarter drought, unable to string together sustained scoring runs against Atlanta's pressure. The Liberty coughed up 18 turnovers to Atlanta's six, a differential that consistently fed the Dream easy opportunities.

Jonquel Jones was a bright spot with 10 points and 14 rebounds, including 13 defensive boards, but she had limited help inside. Marine Fauthoux led the bench charge with 14 points, four assists and 8-of-9 shooting from the free-throw line, while Han Xu added 11 points in 20 minutes. Sabrina Ionescu was restricted to seven points on 2-of-7 shooting with four turnovers.

Australian forward Anneli Maley featured briefly for New York, contributing two points from the free-throw line in five minutes of action.

Fourth-quarter response falls short

New York's 21-point final quarter offered some late resistance, but Atlanta matched it with 25 of their own to widen the margin to 18. The Dream's ability to finish strong, particularly through Gray and Hillmon's continued scoring, ensured there was no late scare.

Atlanta's 12 steals to New York's three further reflected the defensive dominance that shaped the outcome.

By the Numbers

• Allisha Gray (ATL): 24 pts │ 4 reb │ 5 ast │ 3 stl │ 4-of-7 3PT
• Naz Hillmon (ATL): 16 pts │ 4 reb │ 2 ast │ 6-of-13 FG
• Jordin Canada (ATL): 12 pts │ 5 ast │ 2 reb
• Rhyne Howard (ATL): 8 pts │ 6 ast │ 4 reb
• DeWanna Bonner (ATL): 9 pts │ 8 reb │ 2 ast │ 3 to
• Angel Reese (ATL): 6 pts │ 6 reb │ 3 ast │ 3 stl
• Marine Fauthoux (NY): 14 pts │ 4 ast │ 3 reb │ 8-of-9 FT
• Han Xu (NY): 11 pts │ 2 reb │ 4-of-11 FG
• Jonquel Jones (NY): 10 pts │ 14 reb │ 1 blk
• Raquel Carrera (NY): 9 pts │ 5 reb │ 4 ast