New York Liberty Defeat Phoenix Mercury 89-76 at Barclays Center

The New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury, ranked second and third in the WNBA respectively, faced off in a high-stakes game at Barclays Center, with the Liberty emerging victorious 89-76. Despite an early 12-point lead for Phoenix powered by Alyssa Thomas, New York rallied behind key performances from Jonquel Jones, who returned from injury to contribute significantly, and Sabrina Ionescu. The Mercury, coming off a loss to the Atlanta Dream and dealing with recent roster changes due to injuries, aimed to rebound during their five-game road trip that began with this match. Phoenix's offense, known for its strong perimeter shooting led by players like Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper, struggled against New York's defense, which improved notably as the game progressed. The Liberty, holding the best odds to repeat as WNBA champions, maintained their momentum with a four-game winning streak and a solid record of 16-6. This matchup continues to set the stage for a potential intense semifinal clash between the two top conference seeds.