WNBA Game Preview: Phoenix Mercury (9-4) vs. New York Liberty (10-1)

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New York Liberty logo

Date: Thursday, June 19, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Broadcast: Prime Video, FOX, WNBA League Pass

Matchup Overview

The Phoenix Mercury, riding a three-game win streak, head to Brooklyn to face the New York Liberty, who remain undefeated at home (6–0) and boast the league’s best record. This is the first meeting of the season between these two title contenders, and it promises to be a high-octane clash between elite scorers and MVP candidates.

Team Form & Trends

Phoenix Mercury (9–4):

7–3 in their last 10 games

Averaging 79.8 PPG while allowing 78.4 PPG

Coming off an 83–75 win over the Connecticut Sun

3–2 on the road

New York Liberty (10–1):

9–1 in their last 10 games

Averaging 89.6 PPG while allowing just 74.8 PPG

Defeated the Atlanta Dream 86–81 after trailing by 17

6–0 at home

Key Players to Watch

Phoenix Mercury:

Satou Sabally: 19.9 PPG, 8.5 RPG — leads the team in both categories

Alyssa Thomas: 14.4 PPG, 9.3 APG, 6.8 RPG — four straight games with 10+ assists

Lexi Held: 9.4 PPG, 39.8 FG% — emerging as a reliable scoring option

New York Liberty:

Sabrina Ionescu: 20.8 PPG, 45.8 FG% — back-to-back 34-point games

Breanna Stewart: 19.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG — 23 points in last outing

Jonquel Jones: 10.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG — anchors the paint with elite rebounding

Statistical Matchup

CategoryMercuryLiberty
Points Per Game79.889.6
Opponent PPG78.474.8
FG%41.3%46.7%
Rebounds Per Game32.634.9
Assists Per Game19.621.7
3PM Per Game7.810.6

Tactical Breakdown

Phoenix’s Edge: Ball movement and free-throw efficiency (23-of-27 vs. Connecticut). Alyssa Thomas’s playmaking is the engine of their offense.

New York’s Edge: Depth, pace, and perimeter shooting. They lead the league in 3-pointers made and have the best defensive rebounding rate, led by Jonquel Jones.

X-Factor: Can Phoenix slow down the Liberty’s transition game and limit second-chance points?

GAME ODDS

Phoenix Mercury             161.5

New York Liberty             – 11.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, June 18, 2025

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WNBA Editor
Profile: A dedicated WNBA analyst with a deep understanding of the league’s tactical evolution, player‑development pathways, and expanding cultural impact. This columnist provides comprehensive coverage that blends advanced metrics, film study, and league‑wide context to highlight the storylines shaping modern professional women’s basketball. Background: With extensive experience covering the WNBA and women’s basketball at multiple levels, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets and digital platforms, offering perspective on coaching trends, roster construction, and organizational strategy. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and tracking team progression throughout the season. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and matchup analysis Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive systems Player evaluation, draft analysis, and free‑agency movement Team‑building strategy, salary‑cap dynamics, and front‑office trends Historical context, league milestones, and postseason features Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes and statistical models into insights that resonate with both long‑time WNBA fans and new followers of the league. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the WNBA’s growth, competitiveness, and influence on the broader basketball landscape.