Mercury roll past Liberty 86-60 to push series to brink in Game 2
Breanna Stewart returns but limited as Phoenix takes control in Brooklyn, forcing decisive Game 3 in Phoenix.
In Brooklyn, the Phoenix Mercury crushed the New York Liberty 86-60 in Game 2 of their first-round series, taking a 2-0 lead and setting up a decisive Game 3 in Phoenix.
Breanna Stewart, playing with a sprained MCL in her left knee, logged 20 minutes for the Liberty but provided little offensive punch as New York stumbled through a sloppy performance. Stewart scored six points and contributed defensively, but the Liberty’s ballhandling and shot-making repeatedly betrayed them. Sabrina Ionescu went 3-for-13, including 1-for-8 from three, while Emma Meesseman added 11 for New York. The Liberty finished 5-for-31 from the field and 2-for-14 from beyond the arc in the second and third quarters, and they committed 15 turnovers that Phoenix converted into 25 points. The Mercury dominated the paint 38-22 and also owned fast-break scores, with 20 fast-break points.
Phoenix countered with balanced scoring, led by Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally with 15 points each. Kahleah Copper and DeWanna Bonner added 14 apiece for the Mercury. New York’s struggles extended into the second quarter, when a 7-0 run by Phoenix pushed the lead to 41-30. The Liberty went more than five minutes without a made basket as Natasha Cloud picked up her third foul, further deflating the crowd midway through a lethargic period. The halftime gap stood at 19 points, and New York never recovered.
The first quarter was a back-and-forth 25-25 shootout, but Phoenix tightened the screws in the second and third quarters, widening the margin and forcing New York into a game plan that relied on reserves to finish the night. With the series now shifting to Phoenix for Game 3 on Friday, the Liberty must win to avoid a swift exit and defend their title in a must-win scenario.
