Venue & Game Details
Tip-off: 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT
Venue: PHX Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
Broadcast: ESPN
Series Format: Best-of-three (1-1-1) — Game 2 in New York, Game 3 (if needed) back in Phoenix
Injury Report
New York Liberty
Fully healthy — first time since early June with complete roster.
Phoenix Mercury
Fully healthy — no injuries reported.
Phoenix: 15–7 at home; won 3 of 4 vs. NY in regular season.
New York: 10–12 on the road; defending champions.
Recent Form
Phoenix Mercury
Last 5: 2–3 (L-L-L-W-W)
Dropped last 3 before playoffs after clinching homecourt.
New York Liberty
Last 5: 3–2 (W-W-W-L-L)
Won last 3 before postseason.
Series History
2025 Regular Season: Phoenix won 3–1.
Last meeting (Aug. 31): Mercury 80–63 — Kahleah Copper 22 pts; Emma Meesseman 17 pts for NY.
Playoffs: First postseason meeting since 2016 (NY won 2–0).
Key Player Matchups
Sabrina Ionescu (NY) vs. Kahleah Copper (PHX) — Ionescu: 18.2 PPG, 5.7 APG; Copper: 15.0 PPG, elite slasher.
Breanna Stewart (NY) vs. Natasha Mack (PHX) — Stewart’s versatility vs. Mack’s rim protection and rebounding.
Jonquel Jones (NY) vs. Alyssa Thomas (PHX) — Jones: 14 PPG, 8 RPG; Thomas: 15.4 PPG, 53.3% FG, primary facilitator.
Natasha Cloud (NY) vs. Monique Akoa-Makani (PHX) — Cloud’s defense vs. Makani’s perimeter shooting.
Emma Meesseman (NY) vs. Satou Sabally (PHX) — Stretch-four battle with both capable of spacing the floor.
Betting Trends
ATS: NY 3–7 last 10; PHX 6–4 last 10.
O/U: Under is 8–2 in last 10 for both teams.
Head-to-Head: PHX 3–1 ATS in 2025; Under hit in last 2 meetings.
Home Edge: PHX +5.2 PPG differential at home.
GAME ODDS
New York Liberty – 1.5
Phoenix Mercury 164
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, September 13, 2025
