Everything appeared to be going the Liberty’s way as they faced Phoenix in Game 2 of their best-of-three first-round playoff series.

They’d swiped the home court advantage with a win in Game 1 Sunday. They’d learned earlier in the day that Breanna Stewart’s left knee MCL sprain wouldn’t keep her out of the starting lineup. They were the more experienced team and they’d be playing in front of one of the league’s best crowds.

But nothing went their way soon after the game started.

The Mercury turned up the defensive pressure to force misses and get turnovers, they raced the floor ahead of the Liberty’s chasing defenders and they were the more physical team. Phoenix opened up a huge lead in the second quarter and never looked back as the pinned an overwhelming 86-60 loss on the Liberty bef

See Full Page