Defending WNBA champion New York Liberty eliminated by Phoenix Mercury: Highlights, score

Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) and Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (14) react after a foul call against the New York Liberty.

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Mercury have claimed the final spot in the semifinals of the 2025 WNBA playoffs.

The No. 4 seed Mercury defeated the No. 5 seed New York Liberty, 79-73, in Game 3 on Friday at PHX Arena, ending the defending champions dreams of repeating. With the win, the Mercury advance to the semifinals for the first time since their 2021 WNBA Finals run and will face the No. 1 overall seed Minnesota Lynx.

Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas recorded her ninth triple-double of the season and fifth in the playoffs with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Thomas, who was named one of five WNBA MVP finalists earlier Friday, stepped to the free throw line with 17.6 seconds remaining as the arena erupted in "MVP" chants. Thomas made one of two to effectively ice the game.

"We aren't ready for this to be over," Thomas said postgame. "We got a special group, we want to keep playing. Tonight was just about coming in here and taking this win."

Mercury forward Satou Sabally recorded a double-double with a team-high 23 points, 12 rebounds and three assists and guard Kahleah Copper added 12 points and nine rebounds. The Mercury improve to 15-0 this season when their Big 3 scores 10 or more points each.

Liberty forward Breanna Stewart finished with 30 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Guard Sabrina Ionescu was held scoreless in the fourth quarter and finished with 22 points in the loss.

Liberty vs. Mercury highlights

Jonquel Jones in foul trouble

Liberty center Jonquel Jones picked her fifth personal foul while jockeying for position with Mercury guard DeWanna Bonner with 6:40 remaining in the fourth quarter as the Mercury led 65-64. Jones was immediately subbed out. Breanna Stewart is up to four fouls, while Phoenix's Bonner has five fouls.

End of Q3: Mercury 60, Liberty 59

The Mercury have a one-point advantage over the Liberty heading into the fourth quarter. Phoenix's first semifinal appearance since the team's Finals run in 2021 is on the line.

Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu started to heat up in the third quarter, scoring eight of her 22 points. New York forward Breanna Stewart added 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Mercury forwarded Satou Sabally has a team-high 18 points and is one rebound away from recording a double-double. Forward Alyssa Thomas is closing in on a triple-double with 15 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. The Mercury are controlling the boards (39-23), but must take better care of the ball. Eleven Mercury turnovers has led to 16 points for the Liberty.

Halftime: Mercury 45, Liberty 41

The Mercury led by as many as 12 points in the second quarter, but the Liberty went on a 10-2 run in the closing minutes of the half to come within one point. Kahleah Cooper answered back with a 3-pointer to stretch Phoenix's lead back to four points at halftime, 45-41.

Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (12 points, five rebounds and four assists), forward Satou Sabally (14 points, six rebounds and three assists) and guard Kahleah Copper (10 points and five rebounds) have each reached double-digit scoring. The Mercury are 14-0 this season when their Big 3 scores 10 or more points each.

Phoenix has 28 rebounds, including seven offensive rebounds, compared to 15 for the Liberty.

New York forward Breanna Stewart has 14 points and three rebounds and passed Tamika Catching (352) for sixth place on the all-time playoff field goals list. Teammate Sabrina Ionescu is up to 14 points (6-of-10 FG, 2-of-5 3PT).

Several players are in foul trouble on both teams. Liberty guard Natasha Cloud and Mercury guard DeWanna Bonner each have three fouls.

End of Q1: Mercury 22, Liberty 15

The Mercury have a seven-point lead over the Liberty heading into the second quarter. Neither team has got off to the best start offensively, with the Mercury shooting 27.8% from the field and 2-of-6 from the 3-point line, compared to 33.3% from the field and 3-of-9 from 3 for the Liberty.

Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas has a team-high six points and two assists, while Satou Sabally added five points and three rebounds. Sami Whitcomb is up to four points and one steal off the bench.

Liberty forward Breanna Stewart opened 2-of-2 from the 3-point line, but she picked up two fouls in the first quarter. Guard Natasha Cloud added three points and Sabrina Ionescu has two (1-of-3 FG, 0-of-2 3PT).

The Mercury are controlling the boards early, outrebounding the Liberty 14-7 (including two offensive rebounds). Phoenix has made 10-of-10 free throws, while New York missed its two free throws attempts.

Liberty forward Leonie Fiebich goes down early

Both teams appeared to have some nerves to start, with the opening minute of Game 3 featuring turnovers by both teams. The Liberty got on the board first with a 3-pointer from Breanna Stewart, but the injury bug appeared to strike again. Liberty forward Leonie Fiebich took a knee to the abdomen area when Mercury guard Kahleah Copper went up for a layup with 8:47 remaining in the first quarter. Fiebich's teammates surrounded her with towels. Eventually she was helped to her feet and gingerly walked to the bench.

What time is New York Liberty at Phoenix Mercury?

The Phoenix Mercury host the New York Liberty in the decisive Game 3 on Friday, Sept. 19 at 9 p.m. ET at PHX Arena in Phoenix. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

How to watch New York Liberty at Phoenix Mercury: TV, stream

• Time: 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT)
• Location: PHX Arena (Phoenix, Arizona)
• TV channel: ESPN2
• Streaming: ESPN+, Disney+, Fubo (free trial to new subscribers)

New York Liberty starting lineup

Head coach: Sandy Brondello

• 9 Natasha Cloud | G 5' 10" - St. Joseph's
• 13 Leonie Fiebich | F 6' 4" - Germany
• 20 Sabrina Ionescu | G 5' 11" - Oregon
• 30 Breanna Stewart | F 6' 4" - UConn
• 35 Jonquel Jones | C 6' 6" - George Washington

Phoenix Mercury starting lineup

Head coach: Nate Tibbetts

• 0 Satou Sabally | F 6' 4" - Oregon
• 2 Kahleah Copper | G 6' 1" - Rutgers
• 4 Natasha Mack | C 6' 4" - Oklahoma State
• 8 Monique Akoa Makani | G 5' 11" - Cameroon
• 25 Alyssa Thomas | F 6' 2" - Maryland

Phoenix Mercury injury report

The Mercury will have all of their players available for Game 3.

WNBA MVP finalists 2025

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray, Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell, Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas and Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson are finalists for the 2025 WNBA MVP award. The winner will be announced on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas stats

Thomas averaged 15.4 points, a league-leading 9.2 assists and 7.2 rebounds in 39 games (all starts) this season. The 33-year-old recorded eight triple-doubles this season, a WNBA single-season record. Thomas, who was traded to the Mercury in February following 11 seasons in Connecticut, nearly reached a triple-double in Phoenix's Game 1 loss, finishing with 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Thomas had 15 points, seven assists and six rebounds in Game 2.

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu stats

Ionescu averaged 18.2 points, 5.7 assists and 4.9 rebounds in 38 games (all starts) this season, shooting 40.1% from the field and a career-low 29.9% from the 3-point line. Ionescu had 16 points, seven assists and two blocks in Game 1, shooting 6-of-18 from the field and 3-of-12 from beyond the arc. She had nine points in Game 2, shooting 3-of-13 from the field, 1-of-8 from the 3-point line and 2-of-6 from the free throw line.

2025 WNBA Finals schedule

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Defending WNBA champion New York Liberty eliminated by Phoenix Mercury: Highlights, score

Reporting by Steve Gardner and Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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