Phoenix Mercury Defeat New York Liberty 80-63 in Crucial WNBA Playoff Race

The Phoenix Mercury defeated the New York Liberty 80-63 in a crucial late-season WNBA matchup, strengthening their position in the playoff standings. Phoenix, led by Kahleah Copper's 22 points and Alyssa Thomas's near triple-double performance, secured a key tiebreaker over New York by winning the season series 3-1, potentially giving them home-court advantage in a likely first-round playoff meeting. The Liberty, missing key players Sabrina Ionescu due to injury and with Natasha Cloud and Jonquel Jones playing under injury constraints, struggled with turnovers and scoring droughts, especially in the third quarter. Despite a strong first half and contributions from Emma Meesseman and Breanna Stewart, New York could not contain Phoenix's relentless offense, particularly in the fourth quarter. Both teams are tightly packed in the standings, with Phoenix tied for third and New York half a game behind, making the upcoming games critical for playoff seeding. The Mercury's home-court advantage and healthier roster give them an edge, while the Liberty face challenges due to injuries to several starters who contribute significantly to their scoring and defense.