The New York Liberty couldn’t come near producing sufficient offense in a crucial third-quarter stretch on Wednesday as a result of the Phoenix Mercury turned up the defensive depth in an 86-60 Sport 2 street victory.
The result’s a deciding Sport 3 on Friday evening when Phoenix hosts New York to conclude their first-round collection.
The highest-seeded Minnesota Lynx are ready within the wings to face the New York-Phoenix winner after they swept the Golden State Valkyries.
Phoenix is trying to advance to the second spherical for the primary time since 2021 when it made a run to the WNBA finals because the fifth seed. New York simply needs to keep away from an abrupt finish to its title protection.
Phoenix stored the collection going by dominating most of Sport 2. After an excellent opening quarter, the Mercury outscored the Liberty 61-35 over the ultimate three, holding a 31-point edge with six minutes left within the sport.
“The protection has been our calling card all 12 months, and the hope is once you get into the playoffs, you degree up. I feel we have achieved that,” Phoenix coach Nate Tibbetts mentioned. “I simply love our aggressive spirit.”
The Mercury received with a balanced offense as 5 gamers reached double figures. Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas every scored 15 whereas Kahleah Copper and DeWanna Bonner added 14 apiece and Kathryn Westbeld netted 10. That group mixed to shoot 54.2 % (26 of 48) from the sphere as Phoenix made 47.9 % (34 of 71) after capturing 32.5 % in Sunday’s 76-69 additional time residence loss.
The Liberty struggled with constant well being through the common season, and Breanna Stewart’s well being questions continued Wednesday.
Stewart sprained the MCL in her left knee within the opener and was capable of play in Sport 2. However she was held to 6 factors on 2-of-6 capturing and solely grabbed two rebounds in 20 minutes. It was her fewest factors in 45 profession postseason video games.
Stewart’s quiet exhibiting was a part of an evening when the Liberty missed their first 12 pictures of the third quarter, permitting the Mercury to grab management. New York was 2-for-15 capturing within the third (30.2 % total) and allowed 25 factors off 15 turnovers.
Sabrina Ionescu was amongst these unable to assist New York overcome Stewart’s quiet exhibiting. The star guard shot 3-of-13 and was held to 9 factors.
“The vibe is the season is not over,” New York’s Jonquel Jones mentioned. “The vibe is that we obtained Sport 1 and now we have now the chance to have the ability to go and play one other sport and to win one other sport. We have been on this scenario earlier than, we have now the expertise, and we all know what it is going to take.”
–Area Degree Media
