Australian rookie Isobel Borlase helps Atlanta Dream level WNBA Finals 1-1
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The gist
Australian guard Isobel Borlase's Atlanta Dream beat Golden State 79-65 to tie the WNBA Finals 1-1.
The rookie's bench minutes have drawn praise from her coach and star teammate.
Background
Isobel Borlase is a 22-year-old Australian guard, the reigning WNBL (Australia's women's national basketball league) MVP with the Bendigo Spirit, playing her rookie WNBA season with the Atlanta Dream. Her first season followed an Olympic bronze medal, WNBL MVP honours, Asia Cup gold and a World Cup appearance. Atlanta had not reached the Finals since 2013 and were swept in their three previous Finals appearances, while Golden State won all three regular-season meetings. Borlase averaged 4.8 points in 13 minutes over all 44 regular-season games.
How it unfolded
- Oct 7, 2026Borlase scored 11 points off the bench, hitting 3-pointers on consecutive possessions, in Atlanta's 101-98 overtime win over the New York Liberty.
- Oct 9, 2026She had 10 points, two steals and two rebounds in an 85-83 win at Barclays Center that completed a semifinal sweep of New York.
- Oct 18, 2026 (AEDT)Golden State beat Atlanta 68-64 in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center; Borlase scored four points (2 reb, 1 ast) in 12 minutes off the bench.
- Oct 20, 2026 (AEDT)Atlanta won Game 2 79-65 at Chase Center to level the series 1-1, their first win in a title-deciding best-of-seven series; Borlase played almost 17 minutes with two points, one assist, one steal and one block.
- Oct 22, 2026Game 3 is scheduled at 11am AEDT.
Who’s saying what
- Coach
- Dream coach Karl Smesko said "I don't think we win Game 2 or 3 without Izzy," calling her contributions important and a positive impact toward winning both games.
- Teammate
- Dream star Angel Reese said Borlase, at 22, has thrived and been super confident, adding "she was the WNBL MVP for a reason... We got your back."