Phoenix Mercury’s Game 2 Victory
Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury faced a tough moment when she missed a layup at the buzzer that could have clinched a vital win against the New York Liberty in Game 1. But surprisingly, she remained upbeat after the game.
“I’ve filmed that thousands of times,” the six-time All-Star noted. “It’s not a big deal for me. Sure, it would have been great if it went in, but there’s still a lot of basketball left.”
This positive attitude carried over into Game 2, where the Mercury bounced back impressively, securing an 86-60 victory at Barclays Center.
The Mercury achieved the second-largest loss ever inflicted on a defending champion in WNBA playoff history, even setting a new personal record with a 26-point margin in such a scenario. It’s a remarkable feat, especially when you consider the challenges of playing under pressure during the playoffs.
So, how did they pull it off? It all came down to a unified team effort.
Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally Shine in the Win
Thomas, who holds the WNBA record for triple-doubles, delivered with 15 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. Her teammate, Satou Sabally, bounced back from a rough Game 1, adding 15 points on 5-11 shooting along with seven rebounds and four assists.
“I think it’s essential not to get caught up in the negative headlines,” Sabally emphasized, reflecting on her comeback from a challenging first game.
Veterans Carly Copper and Dewanna Bonner each pitched in with 14 points, while Kathryn Westfeld added 10.
Defensively, the Mercury came out strong. Only one Liberty player broke into double digits—Emma Meesman, who scored 11 points. New York struggled with a shooting percentage of 30.2% and turned the ball over 15 times. Breanna Stewart, dealing with a sprained MCL, managed just six points, shooting 2-6. Sabrina Ionescu added nine points but struggled at 3-13 shooting, while last year’s Finals MVP, Jonquel Jones, scored seven points on 3-9 shooting.
“Every possession, every loose ball, every rebound—we fought like it was our last chance,” Thomas described the intensity on the court. “We weren’t ready to end our season yet.”
Mercury head coach Nate Tibbets commended Thomas, recognizing her as the reliable force throughout the season.
“She’s got a beautiful heart,” Tibbets said. “When it comes to understanding the game, she’s just exceptional.”
Looking ahead, the Mercury will need to replicate this performance to move on to the WNBA semi-finals, where they would face the Minnesota Lynx. The Lynx recently edged the Golden State Valkyries with a 75-74 win, making them the sole team to advance in the playoffs after just two games.
The crucial Game 3 between the Mercury and Liberty is set for Friday night at 9 PM EST in Phoenix.
