Mercury rookie Monique Akoa Makani shines in WNBA playoff debut

Akoa Makani has been the Mercury’s breakout star this season, having the team trust her to guard some of the WNBA’s top players. Whether it’s her offense or defense, the Phoenix rookie has cemented herself as an integral part of the team’s rotation.

It was no surprise when head coach Nate Tibbetts assigned her to guard New York Liberty All-Star Sabrina Ionescu in Game 1 of the first round.

Akoa Makani kept Ionescu scoreless for the last 7:37 of the fourth quarter and in overtime. Ionescu had 16 points and shot 6-for-18 from the field.

“The way [Akoa Makani] battled against Sabrina [Ionescu] all day is what we’re gonna need to win these, win this series,” Tibbetts said, according to the team’s post-game recording. “She’s been up to every challenge we’ve put in front of her and I’m just super proud of how she’s competed.”

Teammate Kahleah Copper believes it’s important to remind Akoa Makni how important her contributions are, despite the result of the game.

“[Akoa Makani is] locked in defensively,” Copper said, according to the team’s post-game recording. “We know what Mo can do offensively, but there’s going to be times in different series where we need different people to be a star in their role. And I think that is what Mo is doing right now for us in this series. She’s being a star and having to guard Sabrina [Ionescu], and she’s taking pride in that.”

Akoa Makani’s clutch shooting also came into play in the game.

The Mercury were down 44-40 against the Liberty before halftime. With less than three seconds left in the second quarter, teammate Alyssa Thomas passed to Akoa Mankani and sank a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to one point before halftime, 44-43.

However, Phoenix came up short in Game 1 and lost in overtime to New York, 76-69. Akoa Makani finished the game with eight points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

Even against the reigning WNBA Champions, Akoa Makani’s poised playoff debut proved she’s built for the big moments.

The Phoenix Mercury will head to Brooklyn and hope to bounce back against the New York Liberty to take Game 2 on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 5 p.m.