Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Australian young gun Izzy Borlase is on the cusp of capping her WNBA debut season with a title, having helped Atlanta record a heated 85-83 win over New York that settled their semi-final series.
Borlase won a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, was crowned the WNBL’s MVP in February, then started her WNBA career in May.
The 22-year-old has now showed composure beyond her years to lift the Dream into the WNBA Finals.
Borlase delivered 10 points, two steals and two rebounds as her side swept their semi series in three games, stepping up in Brooklyn while reinforcing her reputation for making an impact off the bench.
The Dream will face Golden State Valkyries in the best-of-seven series that begins on October 17 (local time). Australian Miela Sowah is part of the Valkyries’ squad, but yet to get any minutes in the playoffs.
Borlase produced consecutive three-pointers in game two, which was decided in overtime and with much controversy after New York complained about being denied a reset timeout.
There was no such drama despite another thrilling finish to game three, with New York’s Breanna Stewart missing a chance to level the scores at 83-83 after Atlanta turned the ball over with 17.7 seconds remaining.
Borlase did find herself embroiled in a tense second quarter at Barclays Center as tensions bubbled over.
After the Bendigo Spirit guard scored twice in a row, Sabrina Ionescu went to set a screen on her and was called for an offensive foul.
Angel Reese, the Atlanta superstar who is helping push Brisbane’s WNBL bid as part of her growing business empire, was far from pleased with Ionescu’s physicality.
Ionescu and Reese exchanged verbal barbs before teammates and officials helped de-escalate the stoush.
A few minutes later, Jonquel Jones blocked Reese’s shot and the two bumped chests while talking trash. The referees stepped in and gave both a technical foul.
It was Reese’s second technical of the post-season.
WNBA rules dictate she will be given a $US500 fine. If she accumulates four technical fouls during the playoffs, it will mean an automatic one-game ban.
Reese posted 22 points, nine rebounds and two blocks as the Dream reached the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2013.
Reese was sitting at home watching the end of the previous WNBA Finals series when she tweeted “manifesting the finals”.
Exactly 364 days later, Reese is there.
“When I came to Atlanta, I knew what I was getting,” Reese said, having joined Atlanta in the off-season via a trade.
“This team has poured so much into me. We poured into each other. This is my moment. I’m supposed to be here and I’m just so grateful.
“The job isn’t done … we’re not satisfied.”
