Phoenix Mercury survive thriller, knock out defending champion New York Liberty in decisive Game 3

Both teams traded runs throughout the final frame, but the decisive moment came with about 40 seconds left. That’s when Mercury guard Kahleah Copper drove hard to the basket, absorbed contact and finished a tough layup to push Phoenix ahead by five. The bucket put the game out of reach, ultimately sealing a 79-73 victory and sending the Mercury to the next round while ending the Liberty’s season.

“[We knew] that we were going to win the game,” Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas said. “I think no one has picked us to win, but also, no one’s been paying attention to us this year and, in the series, how we played New York.

“So for us, it was not about panicking. I think if you watched any of the games, you knew it was going to come down to the wire. Both of us don’t want our season to end, and for us, it was just keeping our composure and continuing to do what we were doing.”

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Thomas vs Stewart: A final showdown

Thomas’ trademark triple-double magic, the same force that had carried Phoenix into this position, was ultimately what kept the team’s playoff hopes alive. With 20 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds, Thomas notched her ninth triple-double of the season and fifth of her playoff career, delivering once again in the game’s most decisive moments.

“AT is incredible,” Liberty forward Breanna Stewart said. “I think the way that she’s really perfected her game to be a nightmare all over the court – whether it’s rebounding or dishing or getting downhill. Coming to Phoenix was probably one of the best decisions of her career, if you ask her.”

The matchup between Stewart and Thomas was one that was going to be looked at under a microscope going into the series, and it certainly delivered on expectations during the final climax. Stewart scored all 14 of the Liberty’s fourth-quarter points, single-handedly keeping New York in the game despite playing on a sprained left MCL she sustained in Game 1.

She finished with a game-high 30 points, one of the most inspiring performances of her illustrious career despite the loss.

“If there was a slight chance I could play, I was going to be out here with my team,” Stewart said. “Doing whatever I could to keep us in it. And it wasn’t enough. So while it might be memorable, it still sucks.”

A battle of attrition 

The game as a whole was marked by physicality that underscored the desperation both teams felt about not wanting their season to end. The first quarter saw the Liberty get into early foul trouble, allowing Phoenix to go 10-of-10 on free throws and get out to a 22-15 lead. New York had just two free-throw attempts in the first period, missing both of them.

But by the end of the game, the free-throw differential evened out, with the Liberty finishing 20-of-26 on free throws to the Mercury’s 18-of-22. DeWanna Bonner and Satou Sabally each played disciplined during the game’s biggest moments, with five personal fouls for Phoenix, while Stewart and Jonquel Jones did the same for New York.

Possessions were bruising, contested and exhausting, with both teams forced to grind for every look. That effort and defensive will is what ultimately defined the Mercury’s edge.

“At this point in the season, you have to defend to win ballgames,” Thomas said. “It takes a lot of energy to go out there and guard somebody for 40 minutes, and then go on the other end and play offense – but it’s something we’ve been doing all year, something we’ve conditioned our body to do.”

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Veteran poise powered the Mercury

In a series where many believed the defending-champion Liberty held the advantage with their playoff experience, it was the Mercury who leaned on their veterans to close out the game. Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts opted to play an experienced lineup of Thomas, Copper, Sabally, Bonner and Sami Whitcomb for most of the final quarter, with each of those players delivering clutch moments while looking unfazed by pressure.

Of course, Copper hit the dagger layup, and Thomas’ presence was felt on just about every possession, orchestrating offense and crashing the boards.

Whitcomb drilled a 3-pointer halfway through the period to put Phoenix up by eight, blowing the roof off PHX Arena.

Bonner converted a circus shot off an out-of-bounds play to extend the lead to five with a minute remaining.

Sabally contributed in every way, knocking down crucial 3-pointers and free throws while leading the Mercury with 23 points and 12 rebounds.

“We’ve got a lot of veteran players on our team that have done it with other organizations,” Tibbetts said. “But you never really get it as a group until you go through some stuff. I’ve just been proud the whole year. In close games, we’ve been really good, and I think it’s because we guard, and there’s a certain level of trust.”

Sabally added, “We knew that we might be at a disadvantage coming in, not having that team chemistry battling with the top teams … we knew that we had to handle conflicts really quick, and it happens throughout the season, it brings you together, it brings you closer.

“We’re complete, and it feels great to feel that way. It feels great to go on to the next round with full focus and a lot of confidence in what we’ve done this season.”

With the win, the Mercury advance to the WNBA semifinals to face No. 1 seed Minnesota Lynx, setting up a high-stakes battle for a WNBA Finals berth. Phoenix heads into the matchup riding momentum and confidence, but will only have one day of rest before the series kicks off Sunday afternoon.