THE BIG APPLE — The Phoenix Mercury, staring down the barrel of a Game 2 elimination, didn’t betray any feeling of desperation or urgency. A seemingly nonchalant Nate Tibbetts suggested both the Mercury and New York Liberty likely felt good about their chances after Game 1. According to Alyssa Thomas’ straightforward assessment, the Mercury simply needed to convert more of their wide-open shot opportunities.
The rationale behind their composure quickly became apparent as they shook the reigning champions and silenced a Barclays Center crowd used to jubilation. It was hardly a contest, as Phoenix stretched its lead to as much as 31 points and ultimately secured an 86-60 victory on Wednesday night in Game 2 of their opening-round series.
“It’s not decided in one game, and as I’ve emphasized, that’s what makes a series great,” Thomas commented. “We’re determined not to let this season end.”
The decisive Game 3 will take place at PHX Arena on Friday (9 p.m. ET, ESPN2). A majority of the first-round matchups are going the distance. The No. 5 Liberty and No. 4 Mercury stand out as the only teams in this group to have secured a win on their opponent’s court.
New York returned home holding the advantage, despite not performing at their peak, but instead appeared stunned and disoriented. The discussions in the days leading up to the game centered on their home-court advantage and the availability of their two-time WNBA champion, Breanna Stewart. It seemed fortune was finally on their side.
Oh, Stewart is indeed in the starting lineup? Excellent. The Mercury remained unfazed regardless, sticking to their game plan. Even with a fit Stewart, who suffered a left MCL sprain in Game 1’s overtime, the Mercury were only one basket shy of taking a 1-0 series lead on Sunday. They avoided getting overly discouraged or elated in the intervening days.
“I didn’t perceive any negativity or self-pity,” Tibbetts explained. “I believed we had a chance. We competed well, but the outcome wasn’t in our favor. And I was pleased with how we approached the past couple of days leading into tonight.”
Fighting to keep their season alive in Game 2, the Mercury wasted no time establishing a commanding lead. Phoenix surged ahead with a 20-3 run, while the Liberty struggled to score a field goal for over seven minutes. What was a close game at 8:37 of the second quarter ballooned into a 19-point advantage with ninety seconds remaining before the break.
The Mercury’s scoring spree threw the Liberty into disarray, possession after possession. A strategy session in the locker room yielded no improvement. Phoenix thwarted every Liberty attempt at a handoff, disrupted every play near the paint, and sent players sprawling to the floor on screens.
Shots that usually find their mark clanked off the rim, from routine layups to Sabrina Ionescu’s signature 3-pointers that usually ignite the Barclays crowd. Phoenix outscored New York in fast break points by a significant margin, 20-2. To compound their woes, the Liberty struggled from the free-throw line, converting only 16 of 25 attempts.
“We’re a far superior team to what we displayed today, so it was a disappointing performance,” Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello stated.
Sabrina Ionescu is defended by Kahleah Copper and Monique Akoa Makani during the first half of the Mercury’s win over the Liberty in Game 2. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
(Elsa via Getty Images)
Tibbetts reiterated throughout the week that his Mercury were not the favorites in this series.
“We’re embracing that role,” he confirmed on Wednesday.
The Liberty, based on talent alone, are better than their No. 5 seeding suggests, a result of an injury-plagued season. It didn’t matter that the Mercury also faced periods without their key players at different times this season — including in the games against the Liberty.
Thomas, Satou Sabally, and Kahleah Copper collectively scored 44 points in Game 2, playing under 30 minutes each with the game firmly in hand. Thomas also contributed seven assists and six rebounds. Sabally improved her shooting percentage from a dismal 1-of-17 in Game 1, adding 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals. Copper posted two rebounds on an efficient 5-of-9 shooting performance, registering a plus-25, second only to sixth player DeWanna Bonner (plus 29).
Little attention was given to the Mercury’s defensive tenacity or their capability to, in Jonquel Jones’ words, “make things messy.” They held the Liberty to 63 points last month, narrowly missing the team’s season low by five points. In regulation of Game 1, New York scored 65. And in Game 2, Phoenix conceded 10 field goals in the first quarter and just nine for the remainder of the game. Four of these occurred in the fourth quarter, with all the starters on the bench.
“We were determined to force a Game 3, and I believe that was evident in our play tonight,” Thomas remarked. “Every possession, every loose ball, every rebound, we fought as if it were our last.”
The Liberty lacked any semblance of resilience in what could be the final 40 minutes played on their home court this season. The pregame hype video at Barclays questioned whether opponents had forgotten they were entering the home of the defending champions.
That’s all well and good for motivating fans to wave their rally towels and activate their flashing bracelets. However, the Liberty players themselves will tell you that was last year. This team can’t rely on that title to secure another win. And the possibility of a semifinal appearance, not to mention a repeat championship, is slipping from their grasp. Neither team is feeling confident about this outcome.
The enduring image of that 2024 championship run is celebrating at home on the Barclays court. The potential final image of this year, before a possibly lengthy offseason amid collective bargaining negotiations, is currently a dismantling of a team brimming with talent but devoid of promise.
Said Ionescu: “We understand that we must play better in the next game because this cannot be the end, nor how we conclude things.”
