Mercury look to force Game 3 against Liberty, key player listed as questionable

The Mercury fell short in Game 1 on Sunday, losing to the Liberty 76-69 in overtime. Both teams battled throughout, but Phoenix’s missed opportunities ultimately paved the way for New York’s win. Alyssa Thomas had a chance to seal the game for the Mercury in the final seconds of regulation but missed a crucial layup.

Phoenix shot 23.1% as a team from the field and 32.5% from beyond the arc.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, head coach Nate Tibbetts said the team has taken it well and is ready for Wednesday’s game.

“I loved the vibe in the locker room,” he said, according to Desert Wave Media. “Obviously, we were all disappointed, we lost… We wanted to win just as much as New York did. Sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn’t. To me, no one’s expecting us to win this series anyway. Everyone has picked New York, so we’re embracing it. I think we’re ready for the challenge.”

During overtime, Liberty forward Breanna Stewart injured her left knee while making a shot and was substituted for the rest of the period. New York head coach Sandy Brondello revealed Stewart’s MRI came back “relatively clean” but is listed as questionable ahead of Game 2.

With uncertainty surrounding Stewart’s injury status and whether she will be cleared to play, Phoenix head coach Nate Tibbetts said he is preparing his team for both scenarios. When asked by Desert Wave Media how that might affect matchups, Tibbetts said, “You’ll see tomorrow night.”

With their season on the line, the Mercury hope to bounce back with a win in New York and bring the series back to Phoenix.

The Phoenix Mercury and the New York Liberty play Game 2 on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 5 p.m.