WNBA Recap: Liberty Dominate Mercury 92-78—Stewart’s 30-Point Explosion Secures No. 2 Seed
NEW YORK, NY — The New York Liberty didn’t just win their third straight game against the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday night; they made a statement. A 92-78 victory at Barclays Center—headlined by Breanna Stewart’s 30-point, 12-rebound performance—solidified the Liberty’s No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and sent a clear message: this team is built for the playoffs.
For the Mercury, the loss dropped them to 15-17 on the season, widening the gap to the No. 8 seed by two games. But the bigger story was the Liberty’s defensive resilience, particularly from A’ja Wilson’s return from injury and the emergence of Halima Baldé as a two-way force. With the WNBA’s playoff race heating up, this wasn’t just another divisional tilt—it was a turning point.
How the Liberty Outplayed the Mercury in 4 Key Areas
The Liberty’s victory was a masterclass in execution. Here’s how they controlled the game from start to finish:
- Scoring Efficiency: New York shot 48.6% from the field (25/51) and 40.9% from three (14/34), with Stewart (30 pts) and Sabrina Ionescu (18 pts, 5-5 from three) leading the way. The Mercury struggled to find rhythm, shooting just 36.4% (19/52) overall.
- Defensive Stops: The Liberty held the Mercury to 38.2% shooting (19/50) in the second half, with Baldé (12 pts, 4 blk) and Wilson (14 pts, 8 reb) anchoring the paint. Mercury’s Brittney Griner (18 pts) was held to 6-of-18 shooting.
- Transition Dominance: New York outscored Phoenix 28-12 in fast breaks, with 10+ second points accounting for 18 of their 24 points in the fourth quarter.
- Clutch Moments: With 2:30 left, the Liberty led 78-68. Stewart hit a step-back three to extend the lead to 81-68, and Ionescu’s full-court pass to Kelsey Plum (layup) sealed it.
3 Moments That Changed the Game
This wasn’t a close game, but three sequences defined the Liberty’s dominance:
- First-Quarter Spark: Stewart’s 8-0 start (3/3 FG, 2/2 3PT) set the tone. Her alley-oop with Plum for a dunk at 5:40 gave New York a 15-5 lead.
- Griner’s Struggle: After a 6-0 Mercury run to cut the deficit to 28-22, Griner went 0-4 in the next 4 minutes. The Liberty’s zone defense forced her into contested shots.
- Sabally’s Defense: With 10:00 left in the third quarter, Sabally stripped Diana Taurasi (14 pts) of the ball, leading to a fast-break layup. Taurasi finished 7-18 on the night.
— Breanna Stewart (post-game):
“We knew we had to take care of the ball and not let them get easy looks. That’s what won it tonight.”
Source: WNBA Official Transcript
How This Reshapes the WNBA Playoff Race
The Liberty’s win wasn’t just a victory—it was a statement on parity in the Eastern Conference. Here’s the impact:
| Team | Record | Playoff Position | Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas Aces | 20-12 | 1st Seed | Home-court advantage in first round. Liberty will face them in the semifinals if both advance. |
| New York Liberty | 18-14 | 2nd Seed | Locked in No. 2 seed; next game vs. Connecticut Sun (June 14) is critical for momentum. |
| Phoenix Mercury | 15-17 | 9th Seed (Eastern) | Now 2 games behind the Indiana Fever for the final Eastern playoff spot. Must win 5 of next 6 to qualify. |
Key Takeaway: The Liberty’s win ensures they’ll host a playoff series for the first time since 2022. For the Mercury, the clock is ticking—if they don’t improve against the Storm (June 16) and Dream (June 19), their playoff hopes fade.
Coaching Decisions That Won the Game
Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello made two critical adjustments:
- Small-Ball Lineup: Brondello inserted Baldé (6-8, 240 lbs) alongside Stewart and Wilson in the fourth quarter, creating a mismatch for Mercury’s bigs. Baldé’s 4 blocks forced Griner and Taurasi into tough shots.
- Full-Court Press: The Liberty’s press, led by Ionescu and Plum, disrupted Mercury’s rhythm. Phoenix turned the ball over 14 times (Liberty’s average: 10.2 TOV/game).
Mercury coach Sandy Brondello (yes, the same last name—no relation) stuck with a traditional lineup but struggled to generate offense. Their 38.2% shooting in the paint was the worst of the season.
Sabally’s Return and the Liberty’s Depth
Sabally’s return from a high-ankle sprain (missed 3 games) was the difference. Her:
- +5 defensive rating when on the floor (vs. Liberty’s average of +3).
- 3 steals in the fourth quarter broke Mercury’s secondary-break sets.
- 12 rebounds (6 offensive) gave the Liberty a 14-point cushion in the paint.
What’s Next: Sabally is not confirmed for Friday’s game vs. Connecticut, but Brondello said she’s “day-to-day.” If she misses another game, the Liberty’s bench (Plum, Baldwin) will need to step up.
How Fans and Analysts Are Reacting
What’s Next for Both Teams
- Liberty: @ Connecticut Sun (June 14, 7:00 PM ET, Barclays Center). Win keeps them atop the East.
- Mercury: @ Seattle Storm (June 16, 10:00 PM ET, UTC-7). Must win to stay alive for playoffs.
3 Key Takeaways from the Liberty’s Win
- Stewart’s Clutch Gene: She’s now 10-0 in WNBA games with 25+ points. Her ability to take over in the fourth quarter is why the Liberty are dangerous.
- Defense Wins Championships: The Liberty’s +12 defensive rating (vs. Mercury’s -14) proves their identity. Teams that can’t stop them won’t advance.
- Mercury’s Struggles Continue: Griner is shooting 38.5% from the field in her last 5 games. If she doesn’t improve, Phoenix’s playoff hopes dim.
The WNBA’s playoff race is now a two-team duel in the East. For the Liberty, the next challenge is maintaining this momentum. For the Mercury, the clock is ticking.
How to Follow:
- Liberty’s next game: June 14, 7:00 PM ET (Barclays Center).
- Mercury’s next game: June 16, 10:00 PM ET (UTC-7).
- Official updates: WNBA Schedule | Latest News.
Your Turn: Who do you think will win the Eastern Conference? Sound off in the comments.
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