Atlanta rookie Isobel Borlase emerges as key WNBA Finals factor
Atlanta Dream rookie Isobel Borlase has become a crucial contributor in the WNBA semifinals after a limited regular-season role. With Allisha Gray injured, Borlase scored in double figures in consecutive games, including 11 points in an overtime win over the New York Liberty and 10 points in the next game. Her play could be important in the WNBA Finals against the Golden State Valkyries, whose depth is a major strength.
Borlase, 22, played all 44 regular-season contests for Atlanta but averaged just 4.8 points across 13 minutes. Her role grew sharply in the semifinals, where injuries to Allisha Gray (hand) and Brionna Jones forced the Dream to lean on their bench. Against New York, she scored 11 points in an overtime victory, then added 10 points, two rebounds, two steals, and one assist in 20 reserve minutes.
The Australian guard was previously the WNBL’s MVP, and teammate Angel Reese said Borlase’s confidence has helped Atlanta all season. Golden State’s playoff depth—10 players logging at least 10 minutes per game—could test whether Borlase can sustain her impact. Atlanta has mostly used only Borlase and Te-Hina Paopao off the bench, with Paopao averaging 4.8 minutes.
Count words: first para: Borlase(1), 22(2), played(3) all(4) 44(5) regular-season(6) contests(7) for(8) Atlanta(9) but(10) averaged(11) just(12) 4.8(13) points(14) across(15) 13(16) minutes(17). Her(18) role(19) grew(20) sharply(21) in(22) the(23) semifinals(24), where(25) injuries(26) to(27) Allisha(28) Gray(29) (hand)(30) and(31) Brionna(32) Jones(33) forced(34) the(35) Dream(36) to(37) lean(38) on(39) their(40) bench(41). Against(42) New(43) York(44), she(45) scored(46) 11(47) points(48) in(49) an(50) overtime(51) victory(52), then(53) added(54) 10(55) points(56), two(57) rebounds(58), two(59) steals(60), and(61) one(62) assist(63) in(64) 20(65) reserve(66) minutes(67). Second: The(1) Australian(2) guard(3) was(4) previ
... No extra. Need plain text. Ensure no markdown? Fine. Need maybe "EXPANDED:" and "CONTEXT:" labels. Good. Double-check expanded total under 120. Let's final with revised phrasing. Expanded: Borlase, 22, appeared in all 44 regular-season games but averaged 4.8 points in 13 minutes. Her semifinal role expanded after injuries to Allisha Gray and Brionna Jones. Against New York, she scored 11 points in an overtime win, then recorded 10 points, two rebounds, two steals, and one assist while playing 20 minutes as a reserve. The Australian guard was the WNBL MVP, and Angel Reese credited her confidence. Golden State has used ten postseason players for at least ten minutes per contest, which could test Borlase. Atlanta’s playoff bench rotation has mostly featured Borlase and Te-Hina Paopao; Paopao averages 4.8 minutes. Count: first 53? Let's count: Borlase1, 22 2