New York Liberty roll Phoenix Mercury in get-back game, 89-76

The New York Liberty secured a significant victory over the Phoenix Mercury in a crucial late-season matchup, solidifying their position as WNBA title favorites. This game held major playoff implications, as the #2 and #3 seeded teams are likely to meet in the semifinals, and Phoenix had won both previous encounters this season despite New York missing Jonquel Jones.

Pre-game, Liberty coach Sandy Brondello expressed confidence that Jones' return would improve their defense against Mercury star Alyssa Thomas, providing needed size and rim protection to congest Thomas and disrupt her playmaking. However, Phoenix started strong, building an early 12-point lead fueled by Thomas, who recorded 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists in the first half alone, effectively running their offense inside and out.

Despite the deficit, New York maintained composure. While their shots initially rimmed out against Phoenix's strong defense, they stayed on track by drawing fouls, taking open threes, and rebounding aggressively. Their persistence paid off as shots began falling, allowing them to tie the game at 46 by halftime.

The Liberty seized control in the third quarter. After an initial back-and-forth, they executed near-perfect defensive coverages, effectively playing at the level and rotating behind to severely limit Thomas and her teammates' operating space. Jonquel Jones capped the quarter with a buzzer-beating bank shot, giving New York an eight-point lead. Offensively, Sabrina Ionescu dominated as the primary ball-handler, exploiting Phoenix's softer coverage compared to earlier games where she faced relentless traps. Ionescu finished with a stellar 29 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists on 11-of-21 shooting, scoring effectively on drives, hitting Jones on rolls, and making deep threes when given space. This combination of stifling defense and efficient offense secured the win.