WNBA Game Preview: New York Liberty (24-15) vs. Phoenix Mercury (24-14)

New York Liberty

Record: 24‑15 (3rd in East) — 5‑5 in last 10 games

Last Game: Beat Connecticut 81‑79, shooting 50% from the field

Leaders:

Breanna Stewart: 18.1 PPG, 7.4 RPG — recently returned from injury, scored 19 pts in 21 mins vs. Sun

Sabrina Ionescu: 17.5 PPG, 6.1 APG, 39% 3PT

Natasha Cloud: 10.0 PPG, 5.3 APG

Team Stats:

3rd in scoring (85.7 PPG)

45.4% FG, 35.6% 3PT, 83.6% FT

7th in defense (81.5 PPG allowed)

Keys to Win: Push pace in transition, exploit Phoenix’s perimeter defense, and keep Stewart’s minutes productive as she ramps up.

Phoenix Mercury

Record: 24‑14 (4th in West) — 7‑3 in last 10 games

Last Game: Beat Los Angeles 92‑84, shooting 47.8% FG and 44% from three

Leaders:

Alyssa Thomas: 13.4 PPG, WNBA‑best 9.2 APG — 10.2 APG over last 10

Satou Sabally: 16.9 PPG, 6.8 RPG — 18.9 PPG at home

Kahleah Copper: 15.6 PPG last 10 games

Team Stats:

83.2 PPG (5th)

43.0% FG, 33.8% 3PT, 81.2% FT

80.1 PPG allowed (4th)

Keys to Win: Control tempo, feed Sabally in mismatches, and win the assist battle through Thomas’s playmaking.