The WNBA playoffs have delivered fireworks, and one of the most compelling matchups has been Mercury vs Liberty. Both franchises carry star power, championship aspirations, and a desire to dominate — but in their recent face-offs, some clear narratives have started to emerge. Here, we explore the clash in depth, touching on key players like Breanna Stewart, Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally, Kahleah Copper, and others, and examine what Liberty vs Mercury means in 2025.
Setting the Stage: NY Liberty & Phoenix Mercury
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New York Liberty: A powerhouse in the Eastern Conference. With talents like Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, and rising contributors, the Liberty enter every game with expectations. Stewart, especially, has been central to their strategy and success this season.
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Phoenix Mercury: A team retooling with major acquisitions — Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas among them — aiming to return to relevance in the playoffs. They’re blending veteran firepower with fresh energy and are looking sharp, particularly in the postseason.
These two teams met in the first round of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs; their matchups have been physical, intense, and full of implications.
Clashes in the 2025 Playoffs: Liberty vs Mercury
Game 1: Liberty Edge Mercury in Overtime
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The NY Liberty grabbed Game 1 with a 76-69 win in overtime. Natasha Cloud led all scorers with 23 points, while Breanna Stewart added 18.
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However, the win came with a cost: Stewart suffered a sprained MCL in her left knee during overtime.
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Liberty had to balance celebrating a win with concern for one of their stars. The supporting cast showed up, but the injury cloud hung over what came next. WNBA+1
Game 2: Mercury Bounce Back Strong
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Phoenix responded in Game 2 with a convincing 86-60 win on New York’s home court, leveling the best-of-three series.
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Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas each scored 15 points. Kahleah Copper and DeWanna Bonner added 14 each. This show of depth and poise made the difference.
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Liberty starters were largely quiet; Breanna Stewart played limited minutes, scored just six points in 20 minutes, clearly not at full strength.
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Mercury’s run in the second quarter and dominant stretches (especially going into and out of halftime) sealed the momentum. Liberty’s shooting collapsed in multiple stretches.
Key Players: Impact & Performance
| Player | Team | Strengths / Role | Recent Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breanna Stewart | Liberty | Veteran forward, scoring leader, all-around presence. Her health is a barometer for Liberty’s chances. | 18 pts in Game 1; injured (sprained MCL) late in Game 1; limited impact in Game 2. |
| Alyssa Thomas | Mercury | Grit, toughness, defense, rebounding; can run offense when needed. | 15 pts in Game 2; strong all-round showing. ESPN.com+1 |
| Satou Sabally | Mercury | Athletic forward, scoring upside; bounced back after a poor shooting night. | 15 pts Game 2; after struggle in Game 1. |
| Kahleah Copper | Mercury | Scorer, aggressive slasher; often steps up in big moments. | Scored 14 in Game 2. |
| Other Liberty Contributors (Natasha Cloud, Sabrina Ionescu, Emma Meesseman) | Liberty | Cloud had 23 in Game 1; Ionescu and Meesseman need to find consistency especially if Stewart is hobbled. | Good in parts, but overall Liberty underperformed in Game 2. |
Tactical Battle: What Differentiated the Teams
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Depth vs Dependence: Mercury’s bench and secondary scorers, plus multiple players stepping up, made a big difference. Liberty leaned heavily on Stewart, Ionescu, Cloud. When Stewart is not at 100%, Liberty’s margin shrinks.
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Defense & Runs: Phoenix’s defense caused cold stretches for the Liberty. In Game 2, Liberty had a stretch in the third quarter where they missed a slew of shots, were dominated in the paint, and failed to generate momentum.
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Health & Momentum: The injury to Stewart is a key pivot. Even though she returned, her effectiveness was muted. Momentum swings in playoffs are magnified when star players are compromised.
Broader Context: History & Head-to-Head
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Historically, Mercury vs Liberty has been close; in recent regular seasons, the Mercury had a slight edge in head-to-head games.
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Liberty, however, have been strong in the playoffs in recent years, often leveraging home court, depth, and their defensive discipline.
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The acquisition of Sabally by Phoenix (along with Alyssa Thomas) in 2025 turned heads. Since her arrival, expectations for the Mercury have risen significantly. Wikipedia
What’s Ahead: Game 3 & Implications
Game 3 is do-or-die. For the Liberty:
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They need Stewart at as close to full strength as possible — her presence affects spacing, threats, defensive matchups.
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Supporting cast (Cloud, Ionescu, Meesseman) must deliver shots, leadership, minimize turnovers.
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They must regain identity: tight defense, control tempo, avoid getting down early.
For the Mercury:
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Keep the balanced scoring — don’t rely solely on one or two players.
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Continue to exploit matchups where Liberty are vulnerable, especially in the paint and during transition phases.
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Stay aggressive; momentum is theirs if they can maintain pressure.
Spotlight: Other Players & Subplots
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Nyara Sabally: Satou’s sister, though not a starter, her presence adds a human interest angle to Liberty vs Mercury.
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The game also underscores how WNBA games in the playoff phase magnify every detail — injuries, coaching adjustments, bench contributions. A single run, hot stretch, or breakdown can swing a series.
Final Thoughts: Who Has the Upper Hand?
At this point, Phoenix Mercury seem to have the momentum. Game 2 showed their capability to dominate even on the road, especially with key players delivering. Meanwhile, the Liberty have to manage not just strategy but health and mental resilience.
However, it’s not over: playoffs are about seizing moments. Liberty have shown they can in Game 1. If they can reset and bring energy, they have the stars to flip the script.
