PHOENIX — The first-round series between the defending champion New York Liberty and the Phoenix Mercury was billed as one of the best matchups in the 2025 WNBA Playoffs. Game 1 lived up to the hype.
The No. 5 seed Liberty defeated the No. 4 seed Mercury 76-69 in overtime on Sunday at PHX Arena to take a 1-0 lead in the series and steal back homecourt advantage. The series shifts to Brooklyn for Game 2 on Wednesday.
It was a devastating blow to the Mercury, who had the opportunity to win the game in regulation. Phoenix forward Alyssa Thomas drove to the basket for a go-ahead layup with 2 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, but the ball spun out of the rim.
The Mercury never appeared to shake off the “what if” heading into overtime and the Liberty went on a 7-0 run in the extra period. The Mercury were ultimately outscored 11-4 in the overtime period. Entering Sunday, the Mercury were 23-1 this season when tied or leading after the third quarter.
Natasha Cloud finished with a game-high 23 points, six rebound and five assists in the win. Breanna Stewart finished with 18 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Sabrina Ionescu added 16 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
Kahleah Cooper finished with 15 points, two rebounds and one assist for the Mercury in the losing effort. MVP candidate Alyssa Thomas added 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Liberty-Mercury game on Sunday:
End of Q4: Mercury 65, Liberty 65
We are headed to overtime! Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas had an opportunity to take the lead with a go-ahead layup with 2 seconds remaining in regulation, but the ball spun out of the rim.
Kahleah Copper has a team-high 15 points for the Mercury, while Thomas added 12. Natasha Cloud has a game-high 19 points for the Liberty.
End of Q3: Mercury 57, Liberty 55
Phoenix’s Kathryn Westbeldknocked down a 3-pointer with 18.7 seconds remaining to give the Mercury a 57-55 lead to close the third quarter. Kahleah Copper has a team-high 11 points and four personal fouls, while Alyssa Thomas has 10 points and six assists. The Mercury are 23-1 this season when tied or leading after the third quarter.
Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart each have 14 points for the Liberty. Stewart surpassed Lindsay Whalen (953) for sixth place on the all-time playoffs points list with 963 points and counting.
Mercury star in foul trouble
Mercury guard Kahleah Copper picked up her fourth personal foul with 5:33 remaining in the third quarter. She remained in the game, where she has a team-high 11 points, one rebound and one assist. No other Mercury player has scored double digits yet.
Halftime: Liberty 44, Mercury 43
The Liberty have a one-point advantage over the Mercury heading into halftime following a closely contested first half that has featured nine lead chances and seven ties.
Three of the Liberty’s starters have reached double digits, led by a game-high 13 points from Natasha Cloud. Sabrina Ionesco and Breanna Stewart each added 11 points. The Liberty have used their size and controlled the boards through the first half, grabbing 21 rebounds (four offensive) to the Mercury’s 13 rebounds. New York is shooting 48.6% from the field and 5-of-16 from 3.
Kahleah Copper is the only Mercury player in double digits with 11 points. Satou Sabally added seven points and four rebounds, while Alyssa Thomas is more than halfway to a double-double with eight points and six assists. The Mercury are shooting 43.6% from the field and 4-of-12 from the 3-point line, including Monique Akoa Makani’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer to end the second quarter.
Phoenix Suns stars in the building
The star-studded crowd at PHX Arena includes several Phoenix Suns players, including Dillon Brooks, who was seated courtside for Sunday’s matchup.
Sabrina Ionescu heating up
The Liberty are starting to heat up from the 3-point line. Sabrina Ionescu knocked down two 3-pointers in a matter of 43 seconds in the second quarter, giving New York a 23-21 lead over Phoenix. Ionescu has eight points, three assists and two rebounds, while the Liberty are 4-of-13 from the 3-point line.
End of Q1: Liberty 17, Mercury 13
The Liberty led by as many as nine points in the first quarter and have a four-point advantage over the Mercury entering the second quarter. Jonquel Jones and Natasha Cloud each have five points. Breanna Stewart added four points. The Liberty are collectively shooting 36.8% from the field and 2-of-9 from 3.
DeWanna Bonner was a spark plug off the bench for the Mercury and scored four points in five minutes, including a transition layup with 1:12 remaining in the first quarter after swiping the ball from Cloud. Kahleah Copper added four points. The Mercury are shooting 31.6% from the field and only 1-of-8 from three.
What time is New York Liberty at Phoenix Mercury?
The Minnesota Lynx host the Golden State Valkyries at 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT) on Sunday, Sept. 14 at PHX Arena in Phoenix. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
Phoenix Mercury starting lineup
Head coach: Nate Tibbetts
- 0 Satou Sabally | F 6′ 4′ – Oregon
- 2 Kahleah Copper | G 6′ 1′ – Rutgers
- 4 Natasha Mack | C 6′ 4′ – Oklahoma State
- 8 Monique Akoa Makani | G 5′ 11′ – Cameroon
- 25 Alyssa Thomas | F 6′ 2′ – Maryland
New York Liberty starting lineup
Head coach: Sandy Brondello
- 9 Natasha Cloud | G 5′ 10′ – St. Joseph’s
- 13 Leonie Fiebich | F 6′ 4′ – Germany
- 20 Sabrina Ionescu | G 5′ 11′ – Oregon
- 30 Breanna Stewart | F 6′ 4′ – UConn
- 35 Jonquel Jones | C 6′ 6′ – George Washington
New York Liberty finally get healthy, just in time for WNBA playoffs
CHICAGO — Another title, or at least a third consecutive trip to the WNBA Finals, seemed to be a given as the New York Liberty opened the season with nine straight wins, most of them decisive. And then the injuries piled up.
Jonquel Jones missed almost two weeks with a sprained ankle. And then another month when she aggravated the injury. Breanna Stewart missed a month with a bone bruise. Natasha Cloud missed a game after breaking her nose. Sabrina Ionescu just returned Tuesday after missing four games with a toe injury. Nyara Sabally has played only 17 games this season because of knee issues. Leonie Fiebich avoided time on the DL, but she missed almost a month while playing for Germany at EuroBasket.
How to watch New York Liberty at Phoenix Mercury: TV, stream
- Time: 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT)
- Location: PHX Arena (Phoenix)
- TV channel: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN+, Disney+, Fubo (free trial to new subscribers)
Mercury vs. Liberty WNBA Playoffs schedule
- Game 1: Liberty at Mercury, 2 p.m. ET Sunday (ESPN)
- Game 2: Mercury at Liberty, 8 p.m. ET Wednesday (ESPN)
- Game 3: Liberty at Mercury, TBD Friday (ESPN2)
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.