Mercury eliminates title defender Champs Liberty with grim game 3 win

The Phoenix Mercury takes Game three in their matchup with last year Champions, the New York Liberty, 79-73. The last matchup of the opening round of the WNBA play -offs had just as much action and excitement as the previous games earlier in the week, again pointing to the parity in the competition.

Physical game defines the first half as Mercury and Liberty Battle for Playoff Edge

In the first half, the Phoenix Mercury muscleed its way to a quiet lead of four points, 45-41, largely thanks to the experienced player Alyssa Thomas who had 12 points and Satou Sabally who had 14. The Mercury also recovered the Liberty 28-15.

For the Liberty, guard Sabrina Ionescu who had struggled in the previous two games (25% in Game One and 12.5% ​​in game two from outside the arch), 6-out-10 from the field with 14 points in the first half next to Stewart who had 14 concern about whether Stewart would play the first half of the game in game in game in game half.

Interestingly, Jonquel Jones, Center for the Liberty was held to only three points in the first half. New York was 15-0 during the regular season when Jones scored in double digits.

Liberty Rally with runs after the break, but Mercury is holding strong

The Liberty tried to close the gap and go on different points, even within one point towards the end of the third quarter, 60-59, but the Mercury could make timely shots in the fourth and continue to the semi-final.

Thomas, nicknamed the engine, had a Triple-Double in the night with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Sabally had a career first Playoff Double-Double with 23 points with 12 rebounds including 4-out-9 from outside. The last member of the big three guard Kahleah Copper of the Mercury added 12 points and nine rebounds.

Perhaps the unfortunate hero for the Phoenix team in the night was guardian Sami Whitcomb who had 13 points off the bank and made a huge three -point shot at the 5:26 point in the fourth quarter that the Mercury pushed ahead and eventually out of reach. This piece seemed to be the dagger; The Liberty would once again gather behind Stewart, but a bad Scottish selection and turnover of the fourth quarter cost them the game.

In the loss, Stewart finished 3O points and nine rebounds alongside Ionescu who had 22 points. No other player on the Roster scored in double digits.

Phoenix has very little time to celebrate, rest and prepare themselves, while playing the number 1 general seed, Minnesota Lynx on Sunday, September 21 at 5 pm on ESPN.

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