Mercury ride Game 2 momentum into winner-take-all showdown vs. Liberty

After a grueling overtime loss in Game 1 on Sept. 14, 76-69, the Mercury bounced back Wednesday in Game 2. While the first quarter resembled the opener, Phoenix’s second-quarter defense helped shift the momentum in its favor.

The Mercury went on to win the lopsided game, 86-60, forcing Game 3 on Friday back home. Four different players scored in double digits, with forwards Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas scoring 15 points each.

Now the team is counting on another collective effort to keep its season alive.

“You just always want balance,” head coach Nate Tibbetts said post-game. “… Tonight, to get it across the board like we did was very important.”

Heading back to Phoenix means the Mercury will play an elimination game in front of their X-Factor fans, and the players are counting on the home crowd to bring the energy on Friday.

“It will be lit,” Sabally said post-game. “I love playing in Phoenix. The vibe is unmatched. Every time I played in Phoenix as an opponent, I was always thinking, ‘This is good.’ But now, feeling it and being embraced by the fans, they will stay until the end of the games… It’s different.”

The winner of Friday’s game will face the No. 1 Minnesota Lynx in the semifinals, beginning on Sunday, Sept. 21.

The Mercury will look to feed off the energy of their home crowd and punch their ticket to the semifinals, with their season in the balance.

The Phoenix Mercury and the New York Liberty face off for Game 3 on Friday, Sept. 19, at 6 p.m.