Phoenix Mercury beat New York Liberty 79–73 in Game 3 — Alyssa Thomas triple-double, Satou Sabally stars, Sami Whitcomb sparks. Full recap, stats, reaction & what’s next.

Quick snapshot — Liberty vs Mercury

The Phoenix Mercury stunned the defending champion New York Liberty 79–73 in a winner-take-all Game 3, powered by an all-around masterclass from Alyssa Thomas (a playoff triple-double), a 23-point night from Satou Sabally, and timely scoring from Sami Whitcomb, sending Phoenix into the WNBA semifinals.

Why this Liberty vs Mercury series mattered

This first-round showdown was more than a typical 1-3 seed matchup — it was a classic clash of styles and storylines:

• Defending champions vs gritty challengers: New York entered as the title defenders and heavy favorites on paper; Phoenix came in with a roster retooled for playoff punch and championship hunger. The result flips expectations and reshapes the postseason bracket.
• Star power & depth: The series produced elite individual performances — Breanna Stewart’s heroic 30-point Game 3 fight (for the Liberty) and Alyssa Thomas’s triple-double for Phoenix — both narrative hooks that define playoff lore.
• Momentum for the semis: Phoenix advances to face the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in the semifinals, a matchup that now looks considerably more intriguing with Thomas and Sabally playing at this level.

The upset carries roster, coaching and tactical implications for both clubs: the Liberty must assess roster holes and injury impacts, while the Mercury can ride this confidence into a dangerous semifinal matchup.

The game at a glance — scoreline & headline stats

• Final score: Phoenix Mercury 79, New York Liberty 73.
• Hero for Phoenix: Alyssa Thomas — triple-double (20 pts, 11 reb, 11 ast).
• Supporting cast: Satou Sabally 23 pts, 12 reb; Sami Whitcomb 13 pts; Kahleah Copper chipped in valuable minutes and boards.
• Liberty standouts: Breanna Stewart 30 pts, 9 reb (played through injury); Sabrina Ionescu contributed strong scoring earlier in the game; team rebounding disadvantage and poor three-point accuracy hampered New York.

These basic lines tell the macro story: Phoenix’s two-way leaders (Thomas and Sabally) controlled the glass and tempo, while New York couldn’t find enough help to complement Stewart’s late-game heroics.

How the game unfolded — quarter-by-quarter narrative

First half: Liberty set the tone, but Phoenix closes the gap

Game 3 began as a tightly contested chess match. New York leveraged its interior play and early perimeter looks to keep the scoreboard moving, while Phoenix tried to establish Sabally as a post and midrange threat. The Mercury trimmed deficits with hustle plays and timely Whitcomb threes; by halftime it was clear the boards and pace would decide the outcome. (ESPN.com)

Third quarter: Phoenix asserts control

The Mercury opened the second half with more physical defense and better ball movement. Thomas’s playmaking — attacking closeouts and finding cutters — swung the possession count in Phoenix’s favor. Sabally’s scoring and rebounding lifted the Mercury as they grabbed a lead heading into the fourth.

Fourth quarter: Stewart’s fight vs Phoenix’s team game

Breanna Stewart willed New York into contention — scoring 14 fourth-quarter points in an almost herculean solo rally. But Phoenix’s balance (Thomas facilitating, Sabally scoring, Whitcomb connecting from deep, and Kahleah Copper cleaning the glass) made it difficult for the Liberty to sustain runs. Crucially, Phoenix out-rebounded New York by a wide margin — an edge that translated into extra possessions and fewer second-chance points for the Liberty. The final minutes featured clutch defense and free throws from Phoenix to close the series.

What Ryan Ruocco said. pic.twitter.com/udex4DFclx

— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) September 20, 2025

 

Player deep dives

Alyssa Thomas — the engine and the difference

Alyssa Thomas’s triple-double was the narrative fulcrum: 20 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists (official boxscore). Her combination of physicality, court vision and defensive activity allowed Phoenix to control pace and rebounding, while her ability to finish around the rim punished New York’s switches. Thomas now adds another iconic playoff performance to her resume and reminds the league that she is one of the best two-way wings in basketball.

Satou Sabally — matchup nightmare

Sabally’s 23 and 12 was vintage two-way star production: efficient scoring, timely three-point makes, and critical rebounds. When Sabally gets downhill and commands attention, defenses must collapse — opening space for Thomas and Whitcomb on the perimeter. Her floor-spacing and size created matchup problems New York struggled to solve.

Sami Whitcomb — the X-factor off the bench

Sami Whitcomb provided the veteran perimeter punch Phoenix needed. With 13 points (and key threes), Whitcomb’s shooting forced New York to respect the wing beyond the arc, stretching defenses and allowing Sabally/Thomas to work inside. Whitcomb’s playoff shooting and decision-making in clutch moments were pivotal.

Breanna Stewart — heroism amid adversity

Stewart’s 30 points and near-double-digit rebounding was a championship heartbreaker performance. She played through a sprained MCL and delivered all 14 of New York’s fourth-quarter points — a testament to her toughness and elite scoring touch. Still, basketball is a team game and Stewart’s singular effort wasn’t enough against a balanced Phoenix attack and a rebounding deficit. Her post-game comments centered on pride and the team’s future. (NetsDaily)

Tactics & matchups: Why Phoenix won the battle in key areas

1) Rebounding dominance

Phoenix controlled the boards — a decisive edge in a seven-point game. Extra Phoenix possessions limited New York’s scoring opportunities and turned misses into points for the Mercury. Thomas and Sabally’s combined effort on the glass proved decisive.

2) Ball movement & assist generation

Thomas’s 11 assists demonstrate Phoenix’s ability to move the ball and find open shooters or cutters. New York’s defensive rotations were exposed by quick passes and high-IQ reads. That fluidity created efficient shots and prevented the Liberty from packing the paint solely to contain Stewart.

3) Role shooting (Whitcomb & Copper)

Whitcomb’s threes and Kahleah Copper’s rebounding/inside presence provided necessary role contributions beyond the stars. Those ancillary contributions are often the margin in playoff games and they arrived in the moments Phoenix needed them.

4) Defensive adjustments late

Phoenix’s late-game rotations and closeouts limited the Liberty’s spacing and forced contested shots. The Mercury’s defense closed out possessions and made their free throws down the stretch — small details that swing tight playoff finishes.

Sami Whitcomb: the veteran specialist who keeps paying off

Sami Whitcomb’s value in this series underscored how veteran shooters can flip the dynamics of a playoff contest. Whitcomb’s career arc — long range, situational IQ, and clutch timing — made her an ideal bench piece. Her series contributions (including the 13 in Game 3) remind contenders that dependable perimeter threats are as valuable in October as superstar scoring.

[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]

 

Statistical snapshot & advanced metrics (series & Game 3)

• Game 3 boxscore highlights: Thomas (20/11/11), Sabally (23/12), Stewart (30/9). Mercury had a decisive rebounding margin (49–33 in the series Game 3) and a balanced scoring spread.
• Shooting & three-point trends: Phoenix’s rotation around Sabally and Whitcomb created higher quality three attempts; New York ended with poor team three-point conversion in critical stretches — an Achilles heel in clutch moments.
• Turnover & possession battle: The Mercury limited their turnovers and turned defensive stops into transition or early offense buckets — the kind of play that demoralizes efficient scorers like Stewart when help doesn’t arrive.

Coaching & adjustments: A credit to Sandy Brondello & Vanessa Nygaard

• Vanessa Nygaard (Mercury): Her rotation management — riding Thomas and Sabally in key stretches and trusting veteran shooters — paid off. Late defensive scheming to limit Ionescu’s play-making and to prevent secondary breaks earned Phoenix extra stops.
• Sandy Brondello (Liberty): Despite the elimination, Brondello’s decision-making and Stewart’s heavy usage show a willingness to lean on stars. The team’s inability to find additional offensive contributors at critical moments, however, will be a focal point in offseason reflection. (NetsDaily)

What this means for both franchises

For the Phoenix Mercury

• Immediate: The Mercury move to the semifinals to face Minnesota with momentum, a cohesive two-way leader in Thomas, and a confident Sabally. Phoenix looks built for postseason toughness and the win validates their roster design.
• Longer term: This victory (and Thomas’s playoff prowess) supports Phoenix’s core philosophy: build around elite two-way forwards who can rebound, facilitate and close games. The Mercury now have a clearer blueprint for sustained postseason runs.

 

For the New York Liberty

• Immediate: Title defence ends in disappointment. Injuries (Stewart’s MCL sprain in the series) and inconsistent bench scoring were major factors. The club must evaluate depth, role shooting and frontcourt support in the offseason. (NetsDaily)
• Longer term: The Liberty’s core remains elite — Stewart and Ionescu — but the organization will be asked to retool supporting pieces and durability plans to avoid another early exit. Questions about rotations, spacing and rebounding will be central to offseason decisions.

Fan reaction & social media pulse

Social streams trended with a mix of shock and celebration: Mercury fans celebrated a gritty triumph and the team’s return to the semis, while Liberty supporters praised Stewart’s bravado and expressed frustration at the lack of complementary scoring. Veteran voices called Thomas’s performance one for playoff highlight reels. Beat reporters and national outlets circulated clips of Thomas’s assists and Sabally’s hustle plays within minutes of the final buzzer. (Bright Side Of The Sun)

Where this fits in season context — regular season meetings & previous results

During the regular season Phoenix and New York split meaningful battles. Phoenix had previously beaten New York decisively in summer matchups (e.g., an 86–60 Game 2 win earlier in the series), and the teams traded wins in double-digit affairs (Mercury’s 106–91 in June underscored their offensive ceiling). Those prior matchups foreshadowed a series where shooting variance and rebound battles would determine the ultimate winner.

What to watch next: Mercury vs Lynx (semifinal preview)

• Matchup keys: Minnesota’s size and perimeter shooting vs Phoenix’s physicality (Thomas) and wing scoring (Sabally). Can the Lynx handle Thomas’s facilitating? Will Sabally find room against Minnesota’s length? Phoenix will need bench scoring to avoid collapses against top-seed pressure.
• X-factors: Sami Whitcomb’s shooting consistency; Kahleah Copper’s interior toughness; whether Phoenix can maintain rebounding advantages against a deep Lynx frontcourt.

Final thoughts — what this Liberty vs Mercury result really says

Phoenix’s Game 3 win is a classic playoff movie: a team built on toughness, versatility and veteran poise (Thomas, Sabally, Whitcomb, Copper) overcame a defending champion relying on superstar scoring. The Mercury’s balance and rebounding tilted the series, and Alyssa Thomas reminded the WNBA why she is one of the sport’s most impactful playoff performers. For New York, the season ends with lessons — how to surround superstars with sustainable depth and how to avoid overreliance on heroic late bursts.

For neutral fans, the Mercury-Lynx semifinal promises to be must-watch television — and for the league it’s another reminder that the WNBA’s parity and playoff drama remain compelling.

 

FAQs fans search for

Q: What was the final score of Liberty vs Mercury Game 3?
A: Phoenix Mercury 79, New York Liberty 73. (ESPN.com)

Q: Who had the triple-double for the Mercury?
A: Alyssa Thomas recorded a triple-double (20 pts, 11 reb, 11 ast). (ESPN.com)

Q: How did Sami Whitcomb perform?
A: Whitcomb scored 13 points and knocked down key threes that helped Phoenix stretch the defense. (ESPN.com)

Q: What’s next for Phoenix?
A: The Mercury advance to face the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA semifinals. (CBSSports.com)