The New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury meet Wednesday night at Barclays Center in Game 2 of their first-round WNBA playoff series. Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m. ET with New York holding a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three matchup. The Liberty are one win away from advancing to the semifinals, while Phoenix must win to stay alive and force a Game 3 back home on Friday.
New York won Game 1 in overtime, 76-69, but it came at a cost. Breanna Stewart, who finished with 18 points, six rebounds, and four assists, injured her left knee in the closing minutes. She is listed as a game-time decision for Game 2. Phoenix, meanwhile, struggled with shooting and wasted opportunities but still nearly pulled out the win on the road.
Liberty Preview – Stewart’s Status Looms Large
New York’s success in this series depends heavily on the health of Breanna Stewart. The seven-time All-Star has already missed 13 games this season with a right knee bone bruise. In Game 1, she not only led the team in scoring but also guarded Phoenix’s top player, Alyssa Thomas. If Stewart is limited or unavailable, the Liberty will need others to step up in a major way.
Natasha Cloud carried the offense in Game 1 with 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting, adding five assists and six rebounds. Sabrina Ionescu chipped in 16 points and seven assists but struggled with efficiency, shooting 6-for-18. Jonquel Jones grabbed 12 rebounds but only scored seven points, far below her usual production. New York also got little from its bench, which was outscored 21-2.
Turnovers were another problem for the Liberty. They coughed up the ball 21 times, including 14 in the second half. Despite that, their defense held Phoenix to 32.5% shooting, which saved the game. If Stewart cannot go, Jones and Emma Meesseman will have to produce inside, while Cloud and Ionescu will need to control the pace and protect possessions.
Mercury Preview – Can the Starters Bounce Back?
Phoenix knows it let one slip away in Game 1. Alyssa Thomas nearly posted a triple-double with 14 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, but she missed a key layup in the final seconds of regulation. Kahleah Copper added 15 points, but foul trouble slowed her down late. The real issue came from Satou Sabally and Monique Akoa Makani, who combined to shoot just 4-for-28 from the field.
Sabally, in particular, had a tough night, going 2-for-17 and 1-for-10 from three. Phoenix needs her to be much sharper, as her ability to stretch the floor is vital. Makani also struggled at 2-for-11, which limited Phoenix’s spacing. Still, the Mercury got strong contributions from their bench, which outscored New York’s reserves 21-2. That depth advantage kept them close despite the poor shooting from the starters.
Coach Nate Tibbetts pointed out after Game 1 that his team lacks playoff experience compared to New York. That showed in late-game execution, where Phoenix failed to capitalize on New York’s turnovers. To even the series, the Mercury must get more efficient looks, particularly from three-point range, while continuing to force New York into mistakes.
Betting Prediction
The oddsmakers have New York favored by 2.5 points at home, with the total set at 159.5. The Liberty are 16-27-2 against the spread this season, while Phoenix is 21-23-1 ATS. The two teams have played tight games all year, with the series split 2-2 in the regular season before New York stole Game 1 in overtime.
Game 1 finished well under the total, as both teams struggled with efficiency. Phoenix shot 32.5% overall, while New York committed 21 turnovers. Unless Stewart plays at full strength, the Liberty may lean even more on defense and rebounding to grind out a win. That points toward another low-scoring battle. Predicted final score: Liberty 78, Mercury 75. New York should advance but Phoenix’s depth may keep it close enough for another cover.
Pick: Under 159.5
