The Phoenix Mercury kept their season alive with a resounding response, dominating the defending champion New York Liberty, 86-60, on Wednesday night at Barclays Center. The result not only tied their best-of-three playoff series at one game apiece but also delivered one of the most shocking postseason defeats in Liberty history.
For a franchise that raised its first championship banner just a year ago, New York now stands on the brink of elimination. Game 3 will be played Friday in Phoenix, with the Mercury seizing momentum heading back to their home floor.
It was the Liberty’s worst home playoff loss ever and the second-largest postseason defeat by a reigning champion in league history. Fans who had packed the arena expecting to see the defending champs punch their ticket to the semifinals instead filed toward the exits early in the fourth quarter.
“They came in, and they embarrassed us on our home court,” Breanna Stewart said. “Now we have to go back there for Game 3. Winner take all. If we’re not ready for that, then we shouldn’t be here.”
Photo by Phoenix Mercury
Stewart’s Return Overshadowed
The night began with optimism for New York. Stewart, who sprained her MCL in the closing minutes of Game 1’s overtime win, was cleared to start while wearing a brace on her left knee. Her presence brought an emotional lift, but the impact was fleeting.
Stewart managed just six points and two rebounds in 20 minutes, ending her streak of 44 consecutive playoff games scoring in double figures. Her struggles symbolized New York’s broader collapse.
“I just wasn’t where I wanted to be today,” Stewart said. “And I have 48 hours to figure it out.”
The Liberty shot 10-for-20 in the first quarter but connected on just nine field goals over the final three. They were outscored, 26-12, in the second and 18-10 in the third, unable to find rhythm against Phoenix’s defensive pressure.
Mercury Set Tone with Defense
From the second quarter on, the Mercury dictated the game. A 13-0 run stretched the lead to 19 points before halftime. By the time New York missed its first 12 shots of the third quarter and went more than eight minutes without a field goal, the contest was out of reach.
Phoenix forced 15 turnovers, recorded 10 steals, and held the Liberty to 24 points below their season scoring average. The transition disparity was glaring: the Mercury outscored New York 20-2 on the break.
“Defense has been our calling card all year,” coach Nate Tibbetts said. “The hope is when you get to the playoffs, you level up. I think we’ve done that.”
Alyssa Thomas, who stuffed the stat sheet alongside Satou Sabally, said the team played with the urgency of a group unwilling to let its season end.
“Every possession, every loose ball, every rebound, we were fighting like it was the last one,” Thomas said. “We weren’t ready for our season to be over.”
Sabally’s Bounce-Back Performance
After shooting 2-for-17 in Game 1, Sabally responded with 15 points and four steals. She hit a critical 3-pointer in the fourth quarter, punctuating the Mercury’s dominance with a celebratory yell.
“There was a lot of talk about her last game,” Thomas said. “But if you haven’t had a game like that, then you haven’t been playing at the highest level. We knew she was going to come out and do her thing tonight.”
Sabally was joined by balanced scoring across the roster. Thomas also had 15 points, while Kahleah Copper and DeWanna Bonner chipped in 14 each. Their collective effort contrasted with New York’s struggling stars.
Kahleah Copper says she thought the Liberty crowd was quiet tonight:
“Honestly I was shocked I don’t think it was loud to start. I don’t know. I was shocked … It was quiet.”
Satou Sabally on playing Game 3 in Phoenix: “Louder than here … the vibe is unmatched.”
(via @WNBA) pic.twitter.com/snyvCWolkH
— WNBA Today on CLNS (@WNBAonCLNS) September 18, 2025
Liberty’s Stars Neutralized
The Liberty’s starting five combined to shoot 10-for-38 (26.3 percent). None reached double figures. Sabrina Ionescu finished 3-for-13 from the field and an uncharacteristic 2-for-6 at the free-throw line after missing her first four attempts.
Jonquel Jones, who scored seven points, admitted the team fell into Phoenix’s trap.
“We’re such a powerful team offensively, and tonight they were able to really congest us and muck things up,” Jones said. “All of us have to step our game up, our defense up, our offense up.”
Brondello echoed the frustration, saying turnovers and a lack of discipline fueled Phoenix’s transition success.
“We’re a way better team than what we showed today,” Brondello said. “It’s disappointing to play like that in front of our home fans, but we’re still alive, so we’re going to go out there and win a game in Phoenix.”
Mercury’s Mindset Shift
Phoenix credited its ability to stay composed after a heartbreaking overtime loss in Game 1. Instead of dwelling on missed shots, the Mercury leaned on experience and even-keeled leadership from Tibbetts.
“I think that’s what the front office wanted—going out and getting winners, people who can control a locker room in that type of situation,” the team said in a group response. “Immediately after Game 1, AT came into the huddle and acknowledged it. That gave us confidence. Nate is super even-keeled, not getting too high or too low, and our staff made incredible adjustments.”
Kahleah Copper emphasized her competitive edge on the defensive end, crediting her coaches for challenging her after reviewing film.
“I’m a competitor, I want to get after it,” Copper said. “Watching the film, our coaches challenged me to fight over screens, be closer, and make adjustments. I wanted to respond, and I think I did.”
Home-Court Advantage Looms
Now, the series shifts to Phoenix, where the Mercury will look to harness their crowd’s energy in a decisive setting.
“Loud. Louder than here,” one player said of the difference between Phoenix and Barclays. “Our fans would never leave early. They stay until the end, backing us up. It’s different.”
For the Liberty, the challenge is regrouping quickly with their season on the line. Ionescu made it clear that the group must rediscover its identity fast.
“We have to make the adjustments and play like our season’s on the line—because it is,” Ionescu said. “It’s going to come down to who can execute and string together the best 40 minutes. Hopefully that’s us.”
Jones added that the team has been in these situations before.
“We won Game 1 on their floor,” Jones said. “Now it’s about going into a hostile environment and playing Liberty basketball. Our season is on the line just as much as theirs.”
The Liberty’s dream of repeating as champions rests on a single game, while the Mercury are chasing their first semifinal appearance since 2021. For Phoenix, Wednesday night’s performance was about proving resilience; for New York, Friday will be about proving pride.
“We know the importance of our fans and what we’ve built,” Ionescu said. “They deserve more games here, and so do we. Now, we have to fight for our season.”
The decisive Game 3 tips off Friday night in Phoenix (9 pm ET).
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