Phoenix Game Highlights: Leonie Fevich Shines Under Pressure

Phoenix – Leonie Fevich didn’t exactly start strong in Sunday’s matchup.

Her defense held up, but her shooting? Not so much.

She only managed to sink one out of five 3-point attempts during regulation and made three turnovers in the third quarter.

But when the Liberty really needed her, Fevich stepped up big time, scoring five crucial points in overtime.

No one on her team was surprised by how she finished off the game, leading to a 76-69 overtime win against Mercury in Game 1 of their first-round series.

“It’s funny,” Sabrina Ionescu commented. “She missed some early shots, but I knew she would come through when it mattered most. That’s just what she does.”

True to form, Fevich performed when it counted.

Ionescu faced challenges from Mercury guards Monique Akoa Makani and Alyssa Thomas, but Fevich came through with a perfectly timed backdoor cut that paid off.

She caught a bounce pass from Ionescu and, while it seemed like an easy layup, it pushed the Liberty ahead by seven points with just 2:20 left on the clock.

Later, Natasha Cloud connected with Fevich, leading to what some might call a “Dagger 3.”

The way Fevich closed out the game is surely a confidence booster heading into what might be a crucial Game 2 in Brooklyn this Wednesday.

Following the victory, Cloud highlighted Fevich’s defensive contributions, saying that they often go unnoticed, especially on a night when her shots weren’t falling.

“Leo does a lot defensively, so it doesn’t always reflect in the stats. It might not get mentioned during the broadcast, but she plays a huge role for us. So when she’s off a bit, it can feel a bit confusing because the usual rhythm is disrupted,” Cloud explained. “Even if she wasn’t making shots early on, she still came through when it counted. She impacts games beyond just scoring.”

After Saturday’s practice, the team wrapped up their session with Cloud and Kennedy Burke watching game footage of Fevich.

Cloud believed she didn’t miss a beat in practice.

“Leo’s shooting form is pretty distinct,” Cloud noted. “It’s consistent and really nice to watch.”

When Fevich’s shots weren’t falling during the game, Cloud reassured her, saying, “Just keep going. Your next one will be sweet.”

And it certainly was in overtime.

“That’s why we never hesitate,” Cloud stated. “We trust all our shooters, but especially Leo.”

Ionescu added, “She’s one of the best 3-point shooters in the world, and we all know it. We keep believing in her. She kept her faith, and she got the job done.”