Dream's Reese OK after being struck in face; Liberty C Jones tweaks ankle

NEW YORK -- Angel Reese was fine after taking a shot to the face in the Atlanta Dream's 83-65 win over the New York Liberty on Wednesday night.

Atlanta coach Karl Smesko said after the game that Reese could have gone back in the game if she had been needed.

"She was cleared, but we made a decision that it would be smart for her to sit out the second half," he said.

With 5.6 seconds left in the second quarter, Reese drew an offensive foul on Sabrina Ionescu. The Liberty guard's arm hit Reese in the face. The officials reviewed the play and upgraded it to a flagrant foul 1.

Reese, who had gone to the locker room, came back and made the subsequent two free throws. She then returned to the locker room. Atlanta led 41-26 at the half. Reese had six points and six rebounds in 17 minutes.

She wasn't on the bench at the start of the second half but came back to the bench with 6:19 left in the third quarter.  

The Dream clinched the four seed with Wednesday night's win and will play either Indiana or Washington in the first round of the playoffs.

Liberty center Jonquel Jones also left Wednesday's game after tweaking her ankle following a 3-point attempt late in the third quarter and did not return. Jones had 10 points and 14 rebounds.

Coach Chris DeMarco told reporters after the game that Jones was being evaluated and was in good spirits. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.