Liberty’s Breanna Stewart praises Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas after first-round exit

After forcing Game 3 in a lopsided win on Sept. 17 in New York, the Mercury took Game 3 in a close game and advanced to the WNBA Semifinals. Alyssa Thomas had a triple-double in the victory, scoring 20 points with 11 rebounds and 11 assists.

Stewart, who was pulled during overtime in Game 1 on Sept. 14, played the last two games with a sprained MCL. She was tasked with guarding Thomas throughout the series and said the Mercury forward was “incredible.”

“I think the way that [Thomas has] really perfected her game to be a nightmare all over the court,” Stewart said post-game. “Whether it’s rebounding or dishing or getting downhill. Coming to Phoenix was probably one of the best decisions of her career if you ask her.”

Thomas came to Arizona in a trade during the offseason from the Connecticut Sun and helped the team secure a semifinal spot for the first time since 2021. In Friday’s win, the Mercury forward became the first player in WNBA history to record a 20-point triple-double in the playoffs.

“I just feel like [Phoenix is] using her incredibly well,” said Stewart. “She has triple-doubles every single night, so there’s tons of respect between both sides. It’s always going to be a physical matchup when we play together… We had a nightmare guarding her and I’m sure everybody else will too.”

Stewart also had a great game for New York, scoring 30 points with nine rebounds and three assists. She also scored the final 14 points for the Liberty, the team’s only points in the fourth quarter.

Thomas and the Mercury now shift their focus to the semifinals, traveling to Minnesota to face the No. 1 seed, Minnesota Lynx, and keep their postseason alive.

The Phoenix Mercury and the Minnesota Lynx play Game 1 of the WNBA Semifinals on Sunday, Sept. 21, at 2 p.m.