Phoenix Mercury knock out New York Liberty in thrilling Sport 3 – The IX Basketball

September 20, 2025 
By Dylan Kane
Alyssa Thomas’ triple-double carries Phoenix previous New York, organising a semifinals showdown with the Minnesota Lynx
Ten minutes. That was all that remained to resolve a season. The Phoenix Mercury clung to a 60-59 lead over the New York Liberty because the fourth quarter started in a do-or-die Sport 3 — each possession carrying huge weight, every huddle brimming with urgency, each look between teammates reflecting what was at stake.
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Each groups traded runs all through the ultimate body, however the decisive second got here with about 40 seconds left. That’s when Mercury guard Kahleah Copper drove exhausting to the basket, absorbed contact and completed a troublesome layup to push Phoenix forward by 5. The bucket put the sport out of attain, finally sealing a 79-73 victory and sending the Mercury to the following spherical whereas ending the Liberty’s season.
“[We knew] that we have been going to win the sport,” Mercury ahead Alyssa Thomas stated. “I believe nobody has picked us to win, but additionally, nobody’s been taking note of us this yr and, within the collection, how we performed New York.
“So for us, it was not about panicking. I believe when you watched any of the video games, you knew it was going to return right down to the wire. Each of us don’t need our season to finish, and for us, it was simply retaining our composure and persevering with to do what we have been doing.”
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Thomas’ trademark triple-double magic, the identical power that had carried Phoenix into this place, was finally what saved the crew’s playoff hopes alive. With 20 factors, 11 assists and 11 rebounds, Thomas notched her ninth triple-double of the season and fifth of her playoff career, delivering as soon as once more within the sport’s most decisive moments.
“AT is unbelievable,” Liberty ahead Breanna Stewart stated. “I believe the way in which that she’s actually perfected her sport to be a nightmare everywhere in the court docket – whether or not it’s rebounding or dishing or getting downhill. Coming to Phoenix was most likely top-of-the-line choices of her profession, when you ask her.”
The matchup between Stewart and Thomas was one which was going to be checked out beneath a microscope going into the series, and it definitely delivered on expectations through the closing climax. Stewart scored all 14 of the Liberty’s fourth-quarter factors, single-handedly retaining New York within the sport regardless of taking part in on a sprained left MCL she sustained in Sport 1.
She completed with a game-high 30 factors, one of the vital inspiring performances of her illustrious profession regardless of the loss.
“If there was a slight probability I might play, I used to be going to be out right here with my crew,” Stewart stated. “Doing no matter I might to maintain us in it. And it wasn’t sufficient. So whereas it is likely to be memorable, it nonetheless sucks.”
The sport as a complete was marked by physicality that underscored the desperation each groups felt about not wanting their season to finish. The primary quarter noticed the Liberty get into early foul bother, permitting Phoenix to go 10-of-10 on free throws and get out to a 22-15 lead. New York had simply two free-throw makes an attempt within the first interval, lacking each of them.
However by the top of the sport, the free-throw differential evened out, with the Liberty ending 20-of-26 on free throws to the Mercury’s 18-of-22. DeWanna Bonner and Satou Sabally every performed disciplined through the sport’s largest moments, with 5 private fouls for Phoenix, whereas Stewart and Jonquel Jones did the identical for New York.
Possessions have been bruising, contested and exhausting, with each groups compelled to grind for each look. That effort and defensive will is what finally outlined the Mercury’s edge.
“At this level within the season, it’s a must to defend to win ballgames,” Thomas stated. “It takes numerous vitality to go on the market and guard anyone for 40 minutes, after which go on the opposite finish and play offense – however it’s one thing we’ve been doing all yr, one thing we’ve conditioned our physique to do.”
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In a collection the place many believed the defending-champion Liberty held the benefit with their playoff expertise, it was the Mercury who leaned on their veterans to shut out the sport. Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts opted to play an skilled lineup of Thomas, Copper, Sabally, Bonner and Sami Whitcomb for a lot of the closing quarter, with every of these gamers delivering clutch moments whereas wanting unfazed by stress.
In fact, Copper hit the dagger layup, and Thomas’ presence was felt on nearly each possession, orchestrating offense and crashing the boards.
Whitcomb drilled a 3-pointer midway by way of the interval to place Phoenix up by eight, blowing the roof off PHX Area.
Bonner transformed a circus shot off an out-of-bounds play to increase the result in 5 with a minute remaining.
Sabally contributed in each approach, pulling down essential 3-pointers and free throws whereas main the Mercury with 23 factors and 12 rebounds.
“We’ve received numerous veteran gamers on our crew which have executed it with different organizations,” Tibbetts stated. “However you by no means actually get it as a bunch till you undergo some stuff. I’ve simply been proud the entire yr. In shut video games, we’ve been actually good, and I believe it’s as a result of we guard, and there’s a sure degree of belief.”
Sabally added, “We knew that we is likely to be at a drawback coming in, not having that crew chemistry battling with the highest groups … we knew that we needed to deal with conflicts actually fast, and it occurs all through the season, it brings you collectively, it brings you nearer.
“We’re full, and it feels nice to really feel that approach. It feels nice to go on to the following spherical with full focus and numerous confidence in what we’ve executed this season.”
With the win, the Mercury advance to the WNBA semifinals to face No. 1 seed Minnesota Lynx, organising a high-stakes battle for a WNBA Finals berth. Phoenix heads into the matchup using momentum and confidence, however will solely have sooner or later of relaxation earlier than the collection kicks off Sunday afternoon.
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