In a thrilling conclusion to their first-round playoff series, the Phoenix Mercury defeated the New York Liberty 79-73 in a decisive Game 3 on September 19, 2025. This victory secured the Mercury’s place in the semifinals, where they will go on to face the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx.
The Mercury’s win was fueled by several standout performances. Alyssa Thomas delivered a monumental triple-double, with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. This marked her fifth career playoff triple-double and the first time in WNBA playoff history that a player achieved a 20-point triple-double.
Satou Sabally also made a significant impact, contributing 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Kahleah Copper added 12 points and 9 rebounds, including a crucial acrobatic layup in the final minute of the game.
For the Liberty, Breanna Stewart delivered a heroic effort despite a sprained MCL, scoring 30 points. Her performance was especially impressive in the fourth quarter, where she scored all of New York’s 14 points, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to secure the win.
It’s impossible to say for sure if the Phoenix Mercury will win their next game against the Minnesota Lynx. While the Mercury are coming off a huge win, the Lynx are the top seed for a reason and will be a tough opponent. The outcome will depend on many factors, including how well both teams perform on the day.
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