WNBA Scores September 21, 2026: Results, Recaps & Standings

News | NATR Staff | September 22, 2026

The WNBA scores for September 21, 2026, produced two important results in the final week of the regular season. Atlanta moved closer to securing first-round home-court advantage, while Phoenix ended Dallas’ six-game winning streak on a last-second basket.

The Dream pulled away from the Liberty in the third quarter for a 95-84 victory. Later, Kahleah Copper scored 16 fourth-quarter points and delivered the winning layup as the Mercury edged the Wings 87-86.

WNBA Scoreboard — September 21, 2026

• Atlanta Dream 95, New York Liberty 84
• Phoenix Mercury 87, Dallas Wings 86

Atlanta Dream 95, New York Liberty 84

Balanced Dream attack takes control after halftime

Atlanta used a balanced offense and a sharp third quarter to defeat New York at Barclays Center. Jordin Canada led the Dream with 19 points, nine assists, three rebounds and three steals. She made all eight of her free throws and committed only one turnover.

Angel Reese added 18 points and 10 rebounds for another double-double. DeWanna Bonner scored 17 points off the bench, Rhyne Howard had 16, and Allisha Gray finished with 14. Five Atlanta players reached double figures.

Breanna Stewart led New York with 27 points, 14 rebounds and four assists. Jonquel Jones posted 18 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. Sabrina Ionescu and Pauline Astier scored 15 points apiece.

The box score showed Atlanta’s efficiency and ball security. The Dream shot 47.8% from the floor and committed only four turnovers. New York shot 42.3% and turned the ball over 11 times. Neither team shot well from deep, but Atlanta’s seven steals helped create extra opportunities. Full statistics are available in the Dream-Liberty box score.

Turning Point

Atlanta led just 41-38 at halftime. Gray then scored seven points during a 9-2 Dream run to open the third quarter. Howard added 10 points in the period, and Atlanta outscored New York 32-24 to build a 73-62 lead.

The Liberty cut the margin to eight several times in the fourth quarter but never got closer. A late sequence involving a Reese block, a Stewart technical foul and three Atlanta free throws pushed the lead to 91-80 with 1:55 left.

Star of the Game: Jordin Canada

19 points, nine assists, three rebounds and three steals

Canada directed Atlanta’s offense, protected the ball and made key plays on both ends. The Dream improved to 29-14. New York fell to 26-17 and lost its chance to earn first-round home-court advantage.

Phoenix Mercury 87, Dallas Wings 86

Copper delivers last-second winner in Phoenix comeback

Kahleah Copper scored 31 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, as Phoenix rallied past Dallas. Copper made 10 of 17 shots and went 10-for-13 at the free-throw line. Her reverse layup with 2.4 seconds remaining supplied the final margin.

Alyssa Thomas recorded a triple-double for the Mercury with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists. Natasha Mack added 12 points and two blocks.

Paige Bueckers nearly carried Dallas to the win. She finished with 30 points, seven assists and five rebounds while shooting 12-for-22. Jessica Shepard delivered 17 points, 19 rebounds and six assists. Awak Kuier added eight points and five blocks.

Dallas shot 43.5% from 3-point range and won the rebounding battle 42-32, excluding team rebounds. Phoenix found its advantage at the foul line. The Mercury made 26 of 30 free throws, while Dallas went 14-for-21. Phoenix also committed only five turnovers. The complete numbers are in the Wings-Mercury game recap and box score.

Turning Point

Dallas led by 14 during the second quarter and carried a 68-61 advantage into the fourth. Copper then took over. Phoenix won the final period 26-18 and kept the game within one possession late.

Bueckers hit a 3-pointer that put Dallas ahead 84-83. After two Arike Ogunbowale free throws made it 86-85, a late foul call against Phoenix was overturned and changed to a jump ball. The Mercury secured possession. Thomas found Copper on a baseline cut, and Copper finished the winning layup with 2.4 seconds left. Bueckers’ difficult 3-point attempt at the buzzer missed.

Star of the Game: Kahleah Copper

31 points, five rebounds and the game-winning basket

Copper produced more than half of her points in the fourth quarter and finished the decisive play. Phoenix improved to 16-27. Dallas fell to 26-17, ending its six-game winning streak.

Updated WNBA Standings After September 21 Games

The official WNBA standings list the league in this order:

1. Minnesota Lynx — 32-10
2. Golden State Valkyries — 31-11
3. Las Vegas Aces — 29-13
4. Atlanta Dream — 29-14
5. Indiana Fever — 27-15
6. Washington Mystics — 26-16
7. Dallas Wings — 26-17
8. New York Liberty — 26-17
9. Los Angeles Sparks — 16-26
10. Phoenix Mercury — 16-27
11. Portland Fire — 16-27
12. Chicago Sky — 15-27
13. Toronto Tempo — 11-31
14. Connecticut Sun — 10-32
15. Seattle Storm — 8-35

Atlanta closes on home court as middle seeds remain unsettled

Atlanta’s fourth straight victory lifted the Dream to 29-14. One more Atlanta win, or one Indiana loss, would secure a top-four seed and home court in the opening round.

The battle from sixth through eighth remains tight. Washington is 26-16, while Dallas and New York are both 26-17. The Wings own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Liberty. New York can no longer finish in the top four after Monday’s defeat.

Phoenix is out of playoff contention, but Monday’s finish showed the Mercury can still influence the bracket. Their comeback ended Dallas’ winning streak and added pressure to the Wings’ final regular-season game.

The September 21 slate was small, but both games mattered. Atlanta strengthened its playoff position, Phoenix earned a dramatic home victory, and the fight for the final seeds remained unresolved entering the last two days of the regular season.

Featured image: Basketball hoop photo by LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR on Unsplash. Used under the Unsplash License.

North American Talk Radio may earn a commission if you make a purchase through links in this article, at no additional cost to you.