The Phoenix Mercury saved their season alive with a powerful response, dominating the defending champion New York Liberty, 86-60, on Wednesday night time at Barclays Middle. The outcome not solely tied their best-of-three playoff sequence at one recreation apiece but additionally delivered one of the stunning postseason defeats in Liberty historical past.
For a franchise that raised its first championship banner only a 12 months in the past, New York now stands getting ready to elimination. Recreation 3 will probably be performed Friday in Phoenix, with the Mercury seizing momentum heading again to their residence flooring.
It was the Liberty’s worst residence playoff loss ever and the second-largest postseason defeat by a reigning champion in league historical past. Followers who had packed the sector anticipating to see the defending champs punch their ticket to the semifinals as an alternative filed towards the exits early within the fourth quarter.
“They got here in, and so they embarrassed us on our residence court docket,” Breanna Stewart stated. “Now we have now to return there for Recreation 3. Winner take all. If we’re not prepared for that, then we shouldn’t be right here.”
Stewart’s Return Overshadowed
The night time started with optimism for New York. Stewart, who sprained her MCL within the closing minutes of Recreation 1’s extra time win, was cleared to start out whereas carrying a brace on her left knee. Her presence introduced an emotional raise, however the affect was fleeting.
Stewart managed simply six factors and two rebounds in 20 minutes, ending her streak of 44 consecutive playoff video games scoring in double figures. Her struggles symbolized New York’s broader collapse.
“I simply wasn’t the place I wished to be at the moment,” Stewart stated. “And I’ve 48 hours to determine it out.”
The Liberty shot 10-for-20 within the first quarter however related on simply 9 area objectives over the ultimate three. They have been outscored, 26-12, within the second and 18-10 within the third, unable to search out rhythm towards Phoenix’s defensive stress.
Mercury Set Tone with Protection
From the second quarter on, the Mercury dictated the sport. A 13-0 run stretched the result in 19 factors earlier than halftime. By the point New York missed its first 12 pictures of the third quarter and went greater than eight minutes with no area aim, the competition was out of attain.
Phoenix pressured 15 turnovers, recorded 10 steals, and held the Liberty to 24 factors under their season scoring common. The transition disparity was obtrusive: the Mercury outscored New York 20-2 on the break.
“Protection has been our calling card all 12 months,” coach Nate Tibbetts stated. “The hope is while you get to the playoffs, you stage up. I feel we’ve accomplished that.”
Alyssa Thomas, who stuffed the stat sheet alongside Satou Sabally, stated the crew performed with the urgency of a bunch unwilling to let its season finish.
“Each possession, each unfastened ball, each rebound, we have been preventing prefer it was the final one,” Thomas stated. “We weren’t prepared for our season to be over.”
Sabally’s Bounce-Again Efficiency
After capturing 2-for-17 in Recreation 1, Sabally responded with 15 factors and 4 steals. She hit a essential 3-pointer within the fourth quarter, punctuating the Mercury’s dominance with a celebratory yell.
“There was loads of discuss her final recreation,” Thomas stated. “However if you happen to haven’t had a recreation like that, you then haven’t been taking part in on the highest stage. We knew she was going to return out and do her factor tonight.”
Sabally was joined by balanced scoring throughout the roster. Thomas additionally had 15 factors, whereas Kahleah Copper and DeWanna Bonner chipped in 14 every. Their collective effort contrasted with New York’s struggling stars.
Kahleah Copper says she thought the Liberty crowd was quiet tonight:
“Truthfully I used to be shocked I don’t suppose it was loud to start out. I don’t know. I used to be shocked … It was quiet.”
Satou Sabally on taking part in Recreation 3 in Phoenix: “Louder than right here … the vibe is unmatched.”(through @WNBA) pic.twitter.com/snyvCWolkH
— WNBA At the moment on CLNS (@WNBAonCLNS) September 18, 2025
Liberty’s Stars Neutralized
The Liberty’s beginning 5 mixed to shoot 10-for-38 (26.3 %). None reached double figures. Sabrina Ionescu completed 3-for-13 from the sphere and an uncharacteristic 2-for-6 on the free-throw line after lacking her first 4 makes an attempt.
Jonquel Jones, who scored seven factors, admitted the crew fell into Phoenix’s lure.
“We’re such a strong crew offensively, and tonight they have been in a position to actually congest us and muck issues up,” Jones stated. “All of us should step our recreation up, our protection up, our offense up.”
Brondello echoed the frustration, saying turnovers and an absence of self-discipline fueled Phoenix’s transition success.
“We’re a manner higher crew than what we confirmed at the moment,” Brondello stated. “It’s disappointing to play like that in entrance of our residence followers, however we’re nonetheless alive, so we’re going to go on the market and win a recreation in Phoenix.”
Mercury’s Mindset Shift
Phoenix credited its means to remain composed after a heartbreaking extra time loss in Recreation 1. As an alternative of dwelling on missed pictures, the Mercury leaned on expertise and even-keeled management from Tibbetts.
“I feel that’s what the entrance workplace wished—going out and getting winners, individuals who can management a locker room in that sort of state of affairs,” the crew stated in a bunch response. “Instantly after Recreation 1, AT got here into the huddle and acknowledged it. That gave us confidence. Nate is tremendous even-keeled, not getting too excessive or too low, and our employees made unimaginable changes.”
Kahleah Copper emphasised her aggressive edge on the defensive finish, crediting her coaches for difficult her after reviewing movie.
“I’m a competitor, I wish to get after it,” Copper stated. “Watching the movie, our coaches challenged me to battle over screens, be nearer, and make changes. I wished to reply, and I feel I did.”
House-Courtroom Benefit Looms
Now, the sequence shifts to Phoenix, the place the Mercury will look to harness their crowd’s vitality in a decisive setting.
“Loud. Louder than right here,” one participant stated of the distinction between Phoenix and Barclays. “Our followers would by no means go away early. They keep till the top, backing us up. It’s completely different.”
For the Liberty, the problem is regrouping rapidly with their season on the road. Ionescu made it clear that the group should rediscover its identification quick.
“We now have to make the changes and play like our season’s on the road—as a result of it’s,” Ionescu stated. “It’s going to return right down to who can execute and string collectively the perfect 40 minutes. Hopefully that’s us.”
Jones added that the crew has been in these conditions earlier than.
“We gained Recreation 1 on their flooring,” Jones stated. “Now it’s about going right into a hostile setting and taking part in Liberty basketball. Our season is on the road simply as a lot as theirs.”
The Liberty’s dream of repeating as champions rests on a single recreation, whereas the Mercury are chasing their first semifinal look since 2021. For Phoenix, Wednesday night time’s efficiency was about proving resilience; for New York, Friday will probably be about proving satisfaction.
“We all know the significance of our followers and what we’ve constructed,” Ionescu stated. “They deserve extra video games right here, and so can we. Now, we have now to battle for our season.”
The decisive Recreation 3 suggestions off Friday night time in Phoenix (9 pm ET).
