The game itself was a tale of two halves. Phoenix came out strong, opening with an 8-0 run and building a double-digit lead in the first quarter. Alyssa Thomas was instrumental, nearly recording another triple-double with 20 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists. However, New York adjusted, closing the first half tied at 46 after Ionescu calmly sank two free throws with under a second left. The turning point came late in the third quarter when the Liberty went on an 18-5 run, capped by a Jones fadeaway just before the buzzer, giving them an eight-point lead heading into the fourth.
Ionescu continued to shine in the final period, sparking a 10-2 run that put the Liberty up by 18, their largest lead of the night. From that point, Phoenix was unable to close the gap to single digits. Leonie Fiebich added 13 points for New York, while Thomas led Phoenix’s efforts on both ends of the court, albeit falling just short of her 17th career triple-double.
Historically, the Mercury have found success against the Liberty this season. In their previous encounter, Monique Akoa Makani delivered a season-high 21 points, leading Phoenix to an 89-81 victory and handing the Liberty their first home loss of the year. That matchup also saw Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally play pivotal roles, with Mercury’s aggressive offense and perimeter shooting being key factors.
From a statistical and betting perspective, these matchups highlight the importance of in-game momentum swings and the impact of star players. The Liberty’s ability to turn a mid-game deficit into a commanding win underscores their depth and resilience. Meanwhile, the Mercury have proven dangerous, particularly when their three-point shooting is on—setting a WNBA record with 35 threes over two games in another recent win where Satou Sabally scored 25 points and the team hit 18 from beyond the arc.
Looking ahead, both teams are strong playoff contenders. The Liberty’s recent winning streak and the return to form of key players make them a formidable opponent, while the Mercury’s explosive offense and record-setting shooting suggest they remain a threat to any defense. For bettors and analysts, these trends point to high-scoring affairs and potential value in over/under markets, especially when either team finds their rhythm from deep.