Gray’s Injury Overshadows Dream’s Victory Over Liberty

ATLANTA — In the Dream’s recent 92-82 victory against the Liberty, Allisha Gray left the game twice during the first half due to an injury to her left hand.

It remains uncertain if she will be able to continue in the semifinals.

Gray seemed to hurt her pinky and ring fingers on her shooting hand after a deflection in the first quarter. She was seen heading to the locker room while gripping her hand.

After some time, she returned, fingers taped, and got back into action at the 8:30 mark of the second quarter.

Unfortunately, after attempting a 3-pointer that didn’t hit the mark, Gray discarded the tape, tossing it toward her team’s bench.

Even with her injury, Gray’s defensive effort didn’t falter. She dove for a loose ball, managing to register a steal, yet she remained on the Liberty’s half of the court while the play continued elsewhere.

Ultimately, she exited once again, this time for good, returning to the locker room.

As the top scorer for the Dream, averaging 19 points per game, Gray was officially ruled out before the first half concluded.

The head coach of the Dream, Karl Smesko, did not provide any immediate updates about Gray’s condition following the game.

“I hope she’ll be alright,” Smesko remarked. “She’s been a crucial part of our success this year, and it was tough to see her not on the floor. But I’m really proud of how the team came together and performed.”

The Liberty faced their own uncertainties as Han Xu was a question mark for the game after experiencing illness.

Han missed Saturday’s practice due to a fever and was deemed a game-time decision, still feeling unwell on Sunday.

“I know the team needs me, and I want to be there for them,” Han stated. “But I’m having a bit of trouble breathing, yet I’m still trying my best.”

Han, who had played a vital role from the bench during New York’s sweep in the first round, contributed three points and two rebounds in eight minutes on the court.

Jonquel Jones praised Han for her determination to push through.

“She’s focused,” Jones said. “She’s excellent at stepping in and allowing me time to rest on the bench while she takes in the game from a different angle.”

In contrast, Breanna Stewart expressed her readiness to do whatever it takes to secure a win, even if it meant logging 40 minutes on the court.

This was the second consecutive game that Stewart played the full duration, but the Liberty still faced defeat.

Despite concerns about potential fatigue due to her heavy playing time during the FIBA Women’s World Cup and in the WNBA, Stewart is not worried.

“It can be challenging at times,” said coach Chris DeMarco. “Sometimes resting can be beneficial, while in other situations, having her play longer can create a rhythm. We’ll keep an eye on her to ensure she’s good to go.”