The Liberty's first-round opponent is already set, but New York got an alarming preview Thursday night of the upcoming series.
Having already clinched the top playoff spot for the first time since 2015, there was nothing at stake for the Liberty.
But the Dream secured their playoff spot by beating New York, 78-67, at Barclays Center, three days before they face each other in the postseason.
It served as a study of sorts for the Liberty on what to expect when the postseason begins on Sunday.
It was also a study for Atlanta, given that the league-leading Liberty can falter under pressure.
Entering Thursday's game, the Liberty held a 3-0 record over the Dream this season and while coach Sandy Brondello aimed to not “overplay” her starters to save energy for the playoffs, the Liberty couldn't find their shots or limit turnovers enough to earn a win.
The Dream got the job done without any help from the Mystics or the Sky, with whom they are locked in a tight race for the eighth and final playoff spot.
The playoff format also pits New York against a familiar face in Tina Charles, and it's what the former six-year Liberty player called a “perfect storm.”
The Dream star, who became the WNBA's all-time rebounding leader with her third rebound of the game, recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Dream came out strong, putting up a front that forced the Liberty to shoot a dismal 40 percent and commit 17 frustrating turnovers that the Dream converted into 19 points.
Bad passes, poor decisions, double-dribbles and trips marked the first half and things escalated in the second half before Liberty made the decision to play it safe, pulling Breanna Stewart after the first half and limiting minutes for the starters and Leonie Fiebich.
Stewart led Liberty with 16 points in 16 minutes, a decision by Liberty to keep its star rested and avoid injuries before the postseason.
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton added nine points and Nyara Sabally got plenty of reps in Stewart's absence, scoring 14 points along with two steals and four rebounds.
Remaining starters Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones and Courtney Vandersloot scored 10 points collectively on a brutal shooting night.
Atlanta followed suit and sat Charles after he played the first five minutes of the third quarter.
Dream of September 19th. Getty Images
The Dream were led by Naz Hillmon and Rhyne Howard, who each scored 13 points.
Atlanta led by as many as 14 points in the first half and the Liberty stayed in contention only because of Stewart.
In the first half, every other starter besides Stewart and Laney-Hamilton had two points or fewer.
The Liberty found new life in the fourth quarter thanks to freshmen Marquesha Davis and Jaylyn Sherrod, along with Sabally, who pulled the Liberty within eight points against Atlanta's reserves with less than two minutes remaining.
Atlanta managed to keep the Liberty bench at bay.
Davis and Sherrod scored 12 points collectively while Sherrod added a steal.
The Dream controlled the paint throughout the game, scoring 46 of their points in the area to Liberty's 24.
They earned their place in the playoffs and had a lead of up to 20 points.
