How to Watch Atlanta Dream vs. Washington Mystics on DIRECTV: Channel, Result and What's Next
The Atlanta Dream and Washington Mystics met in Game 2 of their WNBA first-round series on Wednesday, September 30, at CareFirst Arena in Washington. Tipoff was set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN, which is channel 206 on DIRECTV. Atlanta won 93-75 to finish a 2-0 sweep of the best-of-three series, so there is no Game 3.
Here's how the game aired, what happened and where to watch the Dream next. Atlanta hosts the New York Liberty in Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals on Sunday, October 4. The league hadn't announced the tip time or network as of October 1.
Quick answer
- Game 2: Wednesday, September 30, 7 p.m. ET at CareFirst Arena. Final: Dream 93, Mystics 75.
- Channel: ESPN, DIRECTV channel 206 (ENTERTAINMENT and higher).
- Game 3: not needed. Atlanta won the series 2-0.
- Next for Atlanta: Liberty at Dream, semifinal Game 1, Sunday, October 4. Time and network to be announced (ABC or NBC/Peacock).
Dream vs. Mystics Game 2: date, time and channel
| Detail | Game 2 |
|---|---|
| Date | Wednesday, September 30, 2026 |
| Scheduled tipoff | 7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT / 4 p.m. PT |
| Arena | CareFirst Arena, Washington, D.C. |
| TV | ESPN |
| DIRECTV channel | 206 |
| Result | Dream 93, Mystics 75. Atlanta wins the series 2-0. |
Game 2 recap: Atlanta closes it out
Allisha Gray led the Dream with 22 points, and Jordin Canada scored 13 of her 19 in the fourth quarter to go with 11 assists and seven rebounds. Washington cut a big lead to 65-62 in the third quarter, but Atlanta answered with 13 straight points and never let the Mystics back in it. Angel Reese and Rhyne Howard each scored 15, and Howard fouled out with about six minutes left.
For Washington, Sonia Citron scored 25 and Kiki Iriafen had 15 points and 16 rebounds. The Mystics were in the playoffs for the first time since their 2019 title season. The Dream won Game 1 at home, 92-77, on Sunday, September 27.
The win sends Atlanta to the semifinals for the first time since 2018, after first-round exits in each of the previous three seasons.
Was Dream vs. Mystics on DIRECTV?
Yes. ESPN had the national broadcast, and DIRECTV carries ESPN on channel 206 in the ENTERTAINMENT package and higher. If you have DIRECTV streaming instead of satellite, ESPN is in the same Signature packages and in the MySports Genre Pack.
Many DIRECTV customers also get ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost. That includes satellite accounts whose base package has ESPN on channel 206, MySports Genre Pack customers, and Signature package customers who stream on a DIRECTV Gemini device. You activate it from your DIRECTV account, then sign in to the ESPN app. Our ESPN Unlimited on DIRECTV guide has the background.
Where to watch the Dream next: semifinals vs. the Liberty
No. 4 Atlanta plays No. 8 New York in a best-of-five semifinal. The Liberty swept the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx, the first time a No. 8 seed has knocked out a No. 1 in WNBA history. Atlanta has home-court advantage.
| Game | Date | Matchup | Time and TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Sun., Oct. 4 | Liberty at Dream | TBA (ABC or NBC/Peacock) |
| Game 2 | Wed., Oct. 7 | Liberty at Dream | TBA (ESPN or Peacock/NBCSN) |
| Game 3 | Fri., Oct. 9 | Dream at Liberty | TBA (ESPN2 or Peacock/NBCSN) |
| Game 4* | Sun., Oct. 11 | Dream at Liberty | TBA (ABC or NBC/Peacock) |
| Game 5* | Wed., Oct. 14 | Liberty at Dream | TBA (ESPN or Peacock/NBCSN) |
*If necessary. The WNBA splits each semifinal date between an ESPN-family network and an NBC/Peacock window, and it assigns the two series after the first round ends. Check back or search the matchup in your DIRECTV guide once the league posts times.
DIRECTV channels for the WNBA semifinals
| Network | DIRECTV channel | Included with |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN | 206 | ENTERTAINMENT and higher |
| ESPN2 | 209 | ENTERTAINMENT and higher |
| ABC (local station) | Varies by market | All packages where locals are available |
| NBC (local station) | Varies by market | All packages where locals are available |
| NBCSN | Not carried | Use Peacock instead |
In Atlanta, see what channel ABC is on DIRECTV in Atlanta. ESPN2 is on channel 209. NBCSN isn't part of DIRECTV's lineup, so any semifinal game that lands on Peacock and NBCSN would need Peacock. DIRECTV customers can add Peacock Premium through their account for $12.99 a month plus tax.
Not sure your package has ESPN and ESPN2? Call American TV at 1-855-690-9884 before Sunday.
How to watch without cable
- DIRECTV streaming: no dish needed. Signature packages at ENTERTAINMENT and higher include ESPN and ESPN2, plus local ABC and NBC where available. The MySports Genre Pack is a sports-only option with ESPN Unlimited included. DIRECTV lists it at $44.99 a month for six months for qualifying new customers through October 3, then $64.99 a month.
- ESPN app: sign in with your DIRECTV login to stream the ESPN channels in your package, or activate ESPN Unlimited if your account qualifies.
- Peacock: streams the NBC and NBCSN semifinal games. Add it through DIRECTV or subscribe directly. Our Peacock price guide explains the plans.
- Other live TV streaming services: YouTube TV, Fubo, Sling TV and Hulu + Live TV all offer ESPN in at least one plan.
Which DIRECTV plan is best for the rest of the WNBA playoffs?
- Any core package: local ABC and NBC where available. Those carry the weekend semifinal games and NBC's share of the WNBA Finals.
- ENTERTAINMENT and higher: adds ESPN and ESPN2 for the weeknight semifinal games, plus USA Network for Finals games on cable.
- Add Peacock: covers games that stream on Peacock and air on NBCSN, which DIRECTV doesn't carry.
Our 2026 WNBA playoffs guide has the full bracket and the Finals schedule. Compare DIRECTV options at your address or call 1-855-690-9884.
Frequently asked questions
What channel was Dream vs. Mystics on?
ESPN, at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, September 30. ESPN is channel 206 on DIRECTV.
Who won Dream vs. Mystics Game 2?
The Dream won 93-75 after a 92-77 win in Game 1, sweeping the first-round series 2-0.
Is there a Dream vs. Mystics Game 3?
No. A Game 3 would have been Friday, October 2, in Atlanta, but the Dream ended the series in two games. Washington's season is over.
Who do the Dream play next?
The New York Liberty, in a best-of-five semifinal that starts Sunday, October 4, in Atlanta.
What channel is Dream vs. Liberty Game 1 on?
It hadn't been announced as of October 1. Sunday's semifinal Game 1s are on ABC and NBC/Peacock, so expect one of those. Both are local channels on DIRECTV where available.
WNBA playoff questions? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 1, 2026. Semifinal tip times and networks had not been announced. Channel lineups, carriage, offers and package prices may change. WNBA, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.