Mercury vs Liberty: Sabally & Thomas Fire Phoenix Back Into Decider — Liberty’s Road Trip Ends in an 86–60 Shock

Phoenix Mercury dominate New York Liberty 86–60 in Game 2 as Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas combine for 30 points; decisive Game 3 in Phoenix set for Friday. Full recap, player stats, tactical breakdown, where to watch and next steps.

Quick snapshot — Mercury vs Liberty

The Phoenix Mercury erased an early Game 1 defeat and stormed into Barclays Center, delivering a blowout 86–60 win over the New York Liberty in Game 2 — powered by 15 points from Satou Sabally and 15 from Alyssa Thomas — to force a winner-take-all Game 3 back in Phoenix.

Why this Mercury vs Liberty matchup matters (background & stakes)

This best-of-three WNBA first-round matchup pits two of the league’s most compelling storylines against each other: the Liberty — defending champions built on superstar Breanna Stewart’s continued excellence — and the Mercury, a team that blends veteran firepower (DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas) with rising sharpshooters and the shotmaking of Satou Sabally. The series winner advances to face the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx. After New York eked out a 76–69 overtime win in Game 1, Phoenix’s Game 2 response was emphatic: a convincing, balanced attack and a defensive effort that created turnovers and transition points. The result resets the bracket: it’s now all on the line in Phoenix.

The game by the numbers — final score & key boxscore headlines

• Final score: Phoenix Mercury 86, New York Liberty 60.
• Top scorers (Mercury): Satou Sabally — 15; Alyssa Thomas — 15; Kahleah Copper, DeWanna Bonner and others also chipped in (Phoenix had five players in double figures). (Bright Side Of The Sun)
• Liberty struggles: New York’s offense collapsed from Game 1 — 15 turnovers that produced 25 Mercury points — and poor shooting during the middle quarters. Breanna Stewart returned from a knee scare in Game 1 but was limited, and veteran scorers (Sabrina Ionescu, Emma Meesseman / Natasha Cloud) couldn’t find rhythm. (New York Post)
• Series: Tied 1–1; Game 3 in Phoenix decides who moves on.

These headlines encapsulate the swing: after a dramatic overtime Game 1 in Phoenix where NYL edged out the Mercury, Game 2 was a defensive, offensive and mental reset for Phoenix. They dominated possessions, cleaned the glass, and punished New York on the break.

 

Game flow — quarter-by-quarter narrative & turning points

Phoenix didn’t just win — they controlled large stretches of the game. Here’s the arc and the turning points you need to know.

First quarter: The Mercury set the tone with efficient attacking basketball and early defensive stops. They built a cushion by sharing the ball and attacking New York’s interior rotations; the Liberty’s shot selection was muddled early. Phoenix’s balanced attack meant New York couldn’t key on one player.

Second quarter: The Mercury’s second-quarter explosion defined the night. Phoenix scored a blistering 26-12 run in Q2 that turned a close contest into a rout. The Mercury’s defense forced multiple Liberty turnovers and converted those into easy transition buckets. Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper were particularly effective in exploiting mismatches.

Third quarter: New York tried to claw back but missed shots and failed to cut into the lead. The Mercury’s bench maintained intensity, and DeWanna Bonner’s bench rebounds/points helped sustain momentum. Phoenix’s physicality on the glass limited Liberty second-chance opportunities.

Fourth quarter: With the game out of reach, Phoenix slowed the tempo but remained efficient — comfortable control, steady shotmaking, and disciplined defense. By the final horn it was clear: the series was now tied and destiny would be decided in Game 3. (ESPN.com)

Key turning point: the Q2 26–12 run — Phoenix’s halftime lead removed New York’s margin for error and forced the Liberty into rushed possessions that compounded turnovers. The Mercury executed both ends to perfection in that stretch.

[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]

 

Player grades & who made the match swing

Phoenix Mercury

• Satou Sabally — 15 pts: Sabally combined floor-spacing and timely midrange finishes. She attacked closeouts and cut to open spaces, producing efficient scoring while drawing defensive attention that freed teammates. Her two-way presence was a huge reason Phoenix controlled the paint/wing balance.
• Alyssa Thomas — 15 pts, 7 ast (approx): Thomas was a masterclass in multi-positional play: rebounder, initiator, and primary closeout defender. Her ability to find cutters and hit the offensive glass translated into high-value possessions for Phoenix. (Bright Side Of The Sun)
• Kahleah Copper & DeWanna Bonner — double-figure outputs: Veterans who delivered knockout threes and hustle plays; Copper’s shooting stretched New York’s defense and allowed Thomas and Sabally to operate comfortably. Bonner’s presence on the boards and bench scoring kept the energy gap wide.

New York Liberty

• Breanna Stewart — limited but pivotal in Game 1: Stewart’s status had been a storyline after suffering a knee sprain late in Game 1 — she returned but with wear and caution. In Game 2, New York’s primary creators (Ionescu / Cloud / Meesseman) could not offset Phoenix’s surge; turnovers and cold stretches doomed the team.

Game MVP (Phoenix): It’s hard to pick a single MVP — the Mercury’s win was a collective triumph. If forced to choose, Alyssa Thomas’ two-way influence and Sabally’s scoring make them co-leading candidates. The boxscore shows a balanced attack that stripped New York of its strengths.

On planet mercury, the story doesn’t end here. We’re coming home X-Factor! pic.twitter.com/QGiQ7xaP63

— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) September 18, 2025

 

Tactical breakdown — how Phoenix locked down the Liberty

Phoenix’s Game 2 blueprint had three pillars: defensive pressure forcing turnovers, glass control, and balanced threatmaking that prevented New York from double-teaming any one player.

1. Turnover generation: The Mercury forced 15 turnovers and converted them into 25 fast-break points — an enormous swing and the clearest measure of control. New York’s rhythm depends on half-court sets and high-value post actions; Phoenix’s scrambling defense made those sets ineffective.
2. Interior vs perimeter balance: Phoenix mixed post looks for Sabally/Thomas with kickouts to shooters (Copper et al.). When New York collapsed to protect the rim, the Mercury crisp ball movement found shooters; when NY guarded the arc, Sabally and Thomas attacked seams. That balance exploited the Liberty’s defensive rotations.
3. Bench depth & veteran calm: DeWanna Bonner and the Mercury bench kept the physical edge, limiting NYL’s attempts to mount a comeback. With season fatigue and the Liberty’s limited rotation due to injuries, Phoenix’s deeper performance was decisive.

What went wrong for the Liberty (and how they can fix it)

New York’s Game 1 hype couldn’t translate into a road-tripping second night of playoff basketball — at least not in Game 2. Here’s where things went off the rails and what the club must focus on before Game 3:

• Turnovers at critical moments: Fifteen giveaways in a playoff game is brutal; each one gave Phoenix direct scoring chances and prevented New York from setting half-court tempo. Fix: clean early passes, limit isolation possessions when the defense is set, and run higher-percentage plays for Stewart/Ionescu.
• Cold mid-game shooting: The Liberty went ice-cold during the crucial second/third quarters. Mental reset and better movement off the ball are mandatory; set plays that emphasize catch-and-shoot and drive-kick sequences will be needed.
• Managing Stewart’s minutes: Stewart’s return in Game 1 showed her grit, but the knee sprain means New York must balance her impact with long-term availability. In Game 3 they must plan her minutes carefully — but also find alternative scoring sources when she sits.

If the Liberty don’t drastically reduce turnovers and improve shot selection, Game 3 in Phoenix could be similarly decisive in favor of the Mercury. That’s the blunt reality heading into the decider.

The narrative impacts — players, storylines & momentum

• Satou Sabally’s continued clutch evolution: Sabally is no longer just a young scorer — she’s becoming a playoff decision-maker, blending veteran instincts with modern wing scoring. Her Game 2 performance elevated Phoenix’s trust in her as a primary option.
• Alyssa Thomas’ all-around engine: Thomas remains one of the league’s most impactful glue players; her ability to rebound, pass, and defend multiple positions makes Phoenix more than the sum of its parts.
• Breanna Stewart storyline: Stewart’s injury scare in Game 1 and the Liberty’s offensive hangover in Game 2 highlight how pivotal her health is to New York’s championship defense. The Liberty need her at full tilt to control playoff series; if she’s limited, the club must lean on role players hitting shots.

Momentum heading into Game 3 belongs to Phoenix: they beat New York decisively, silenced the Barclays crowd and will return home with belief that they can close the series. New York must answer with adjustments, poise, and better decision-making.

Where to watch Game 3 and how to follow (US & international)

Game 3 (deciding game): Scheduled for Friday night in Phoenix (check local listings for exact tip time). The winner moves on to face the Minnesota Lynx in the semifinals. (ESPN.com)

TV & streaming (typical WNBA rights windows):

• United States: ESPN/ESPN2/ABC carry many WNBA playoff games; streaming via the ESPN app is common.
• Local / team coverage: Mercury and Liberty social channels post highlight packages, condensed games and in-arena content.
• International: WNBA League Pass (in territories where available) or regional sports networks hold rights.

For real-time box scores, play-by-play and Statcast-style advanced numbers, consult ESPN, WNBA.com, and local beat coverage (Arizona Republic / Mercury site for Phoenix; NY Post / The Athletic / Liberty site for New York).

Final thoughts — what the Mercury vs Liberty series tells us about the 2025 WNBA landscape

The Mercury vs Liberty series is a microcosm of the 2025 WNBA season: parity, star power, and the resurgence of veteran savvy. Phoenix’s balanced depth and defensive identity make them dangerous in a playoff one-and-done feel, while New York’s title defense underscores how thin margins — a few turnovers, a few extra defensive rebounds — can flip an entire post-season.

Game 3 is a classic tossup: New York will want to protect what’s left of Stewart’s health, tighten possessions, and rediscover the ball movement that beat the Mercury in Game 1; Phoenix will seek to replicate the Q2 dominance and keep the Liberty’s half-court sets from generating rhythm. Win or lose, this matchup is a showcase for the WNBA’s blend of star drama and team basketball.