Australian Borlase reaches WNBA Finals in debut season

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 10 Oct, 06:55 · Archive

Australian 22-year-old Izzy Borlase has helped Atlanta reach the WNBA Finals in her debut season.

Atlanta Dream have reached the WNBA Finals after a heated 85-83 victory over New York in their semi-final series, which they won in three games. Australian 22-year-old Izzy Borlase contributed 10 points, two steals and two rebounds across the series, stepping up off the bench in Brooklyn.

Borlase made her WNBA debut in May after winning Olympic bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics and being crowned WNBL MVP in February. She produced consecutive three-pointers in game two, which was decided in overtime amid controversy after New York complained about being denied a reset timeout. In game three, New York's Breanna Stewart missed a chance to level the scores after Atlanta turned the ball over with 17.7 seconds remaining.

Tensions flared during the semi-final series. In game three's second quarter, after Borlase scored twice in a row, Sabrina Ionescu went to set a screen on her and was called for an offensive foul. Angel Reese, Atlanta's superstar, exchanged words with Ionescu over her physicality before teammates and officials de-escalated the confrontation.

Atlanta will face Golden State Valkyries in a best-of-seven final series beginning on 17 October. Australian Miela Sowah is part of the Valkyries' squad but has not featured in the playoffs.

How it is being reported

• Aussie's Dream: young gun wins through to WNBA FinalsIzzy Borlase, the 22-year-old Australian who made her WNBA debut this year and is the reigning WNBL MVP, has helped lift Atlanta into the WNBA Finals.Perth Now · 10 Oct, 06:34
• Aussie's Dream: young gun wins through to WNBA FinalsIzzy Borlase, the 22-year-old Australian who made her WNBA debut this year and is the reigning WNBL MVP, has helped lift Atlanta into the WNBA Finals.The West Australian · 10 Oct, 06:34

In this story: Izzy Borlase · Atlanta Dream · New York · Golden State Valkyries · Angel Reese · Breanna Stewart · Sabrina Ionescu

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