Tip-off: 8:00 PM ET
Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York (Capacity: ~17,700)
Broadcast: ESPN / Disney+
Weather Forecast (Brooklyn, NY – Sept. 17, 2025)
- Temperature: ~76°F (24°C) at tip-off, cooling into the upper 60s overnight
- Conditions: Clear skies, light winds (5–7 mph)
- Impact: No weather concerns; indoor arena ensures perfect playing conditions.
Injury Report
- Phoenix Mercury: No major injuries reported.
- New York Liberty:
- Breanna Stewart (left knee) left Game 1 in overtime; MRI results were “relatively clean,” but she is officially questionable for Game 2.
Key Player Matchups
- Sabrina Ionescu (Liberty) vs. Mercury Backcourt
- Ionescu is averaging 18.2 PPG and 5.7 APG; Phoenix must limit her perimeter creation.
- Breanna Stewart / Jonquel Jones (Liberty) vs. Alyssa Thomas (Mercury)
- Stewart’s status looms large; Jones’ length and rebounding will be critical if Stewart is limited. Thomas, who missed a potential game-winner in Game 1, will look to bounce back.
- Kahleah Copper (Mercury) vs. Liberty Wings
- Copper is averaging 15.9 PPG over her last 10 games; her slashing ability is Phoenix’s X-factor.
Recent Team Form
New York Liberty (27–17, 5th seed)
- Last 5: W–W–W–W–L
- Home Record: 17–5
- Averaging 76.4 PPG over last 10 games, shooting 44.1%.
Phoenix Mercury (27–17, 4th seed)
- Last 5: L–L–L–L–W
- Road Record: 12–10
- Averaging 80.8 PPG over last 10 games, shooting 42.5%.
Series History
- Liberty lead the 2025 playoff series 1–0 after an overtime win in Game 1.
- Historically, the Mercury have had postseason success, but New York has momentum and home-court advantage.
Betting Trends
- Liberty:
- Favorites have covered in each of the last 4 Liberty–Mercury playoff meetings.
- 6–4 in last 10 games overall.
- Mercury:
- Failed to cover in 6 straight games.
- Have lost 16 of last 17 road games vs. Eastern Conference teams with winning records.
- Covered in 4 straight night games following an OT loss.
Historical Betting Results
- Liberty: Strong ATS at home in playoff openers; unders have hit in 3 of last 5 postseason games.
- Mercury: Historically dangerous as playoff underdogs, but recent ATS form is poor.
- Head-to-Head: Liberty have momentum, but Phoenix has covered in situational night-game spots after OT losses.
GAME ODDS
Phoenix Mercury 160
New York Liberty – 2.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, September 16, 2025
