Full Breakdown
Phoenix Mercury Prepare for WNBA Playoffs Against New York Liberty
9/10/2025, 2:23:31 PM
Playoff Matchup Overview
The Phoenix Mercury have secured the No. 4 seed in the 2025 WNBA playoffs and will face the defending champion New York Liberty, who are the No. 5 seed, in the first round. The series will begin on Sunday at PHX Arena and is structured as a best-of-three. The Mercury concluded the regular season with a record of 27-15, while the Liberty finished at 25-17.
Recent Performance and Historical Context
Phoenix's recent form has been strong, winning six of their last seven games. They previously defeated the Liberty three times in four matchups this season, including a decisive 80-63 victory on August 30, although the Liberty were missing All-Star guard Sabrina Ionescu in that game. The Mercury are aiming for their first playoff series win since their run to the WNBA Finals in 2021.
Key Players
Alyssa Thomas, a candidate for the MVP award, has been instrumental for the Mercury, averaging 15.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game. She recently set a record for the most triple-doubles in a single season, with eight to her name. For the Liberty, Ionescu leads the team in scoring with 18.8 points per game, supported by Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones, who average 18.2 and 13.9 points, respectively. The Liberty have been undefeated (13-0) when their star trio is healthy throughout the game.
Official Statements & Responses
Following their recent loss to the Los Angeles Sparks, which ended their hopes of climbing to a higher seed, Mercury players expressed a need to improve their performance. Sami Whitcomb stated, “That level's not good enough. We're better than that, we know that.” Meanwhile, Alyssa Thomas emphasized the importance of teamwork, saying, “I hit the open person, and the rest is on them to hit the shot.”
Criticism & Opposition
Despite their strong season, the Mercury's recent loss raised concerns about their readiness for the playoffs. Critics point out that their inconsistency, particularly in close games, could hinder their chances against a formidable opponent like the Liberty. The Sparks' victory over the Mercury highlighted potential vulnerabilities in Phoenix's defense and execution under pressure.
What's Next
The first game of the playoff series between the Mercury and Liberty is scheduled for Sunday at PHX Arena. The outcome of this matchup will be pivotal for both teams as they aim to advance further in the playoffs, with the Mercury seeking to break their playoff series win drought and the Liberty looking to defend their championship title.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We're better than that, we know that.” — Sami Whitcomb, Phoenix Mercury
- “I hit the open person, and the rest is on them to hit the shot.” — Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix Mercury
The upcoming series promises to be a competitive clash, with both teams eager to assert their dominance in the postseason.
