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The Phoenix Mercury knocked off the defending champion New York Liberty with a 79-73 win on Friday to earn a spot within the 2025 WNBA semifinals. They are going to tackle the No. 1 seed Minnesota Lynx on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET.
That is the primary time the Mercury have superior out of the primary spherical since 2021, they usually did so behind a triple-double of 20 factors, 11 rebounds and 11 assists from MVP candidate Alyssa Thomas.
“We aren’t prepared for this to be over,” Thomas stated throughout her postgame interview. “We bought a particular group. We need to hold enjoying. Tonight was nearly taking this win.”
The Liberty have been the favorites to win this collection and took Sport 1 with a 76-69 end in additional time, however the Mercury pressured a Sport 3 with a 25-point victory in New York.
The Mercury got here out with numerous power on Friday and outworked New York for many of the first half, as proven by their 28-15 benefit in rebounds after the primary two quarters. The Liberty turned up the warmth defensively within the third quarter and held Phoenix to only 15 factors, however solely Breanna Stewart was capable of rating for New York within the final 10 minutes of the sport.
Minnesota will probably be a troublesome semifinals opponent because the Lynx earned the No. 1 seed within the playoffs by being probably the most constant staff all yr. The Lynx went 3-1 in opposition to the Mercury in the course of the common season, however Thomas stated her staff will probably be stronger this time round.
“They have not seen us full energy,” Thomas stated throughout her postgame interview. “We’re prepared, we’re able to play.”
Thomas retains making historical past
There have solely been seven triple-doubles in WNBA playoff historical past, and Thomas owns 5 of them. The opposite two belong to Sheryl Swoopes and Courtney Vandersloot. Thomas is the primary one to do it with at the least 20 factors. Friday was additionally her ninth triple-double in 2025.
“Is that AT’s first triple-double of the yr?” Phoenix coach Nate Tibbetts joked. “I believe we’re simply type of getting used to it. That is simply what she does. She impacts the sport in so many alternative methods. She cares about one factor, and that is profitable. While you bought a participant of her caliber with that a lot pleasure win a sport and do no matter it takes, you’re going to have an ideal staff.”
A full staff effort
Thomas is the chief of the staff, however the power got here from a number of gamers. Satou Sabally scored 23 factors and a playoff career-high 12 rebounds, though she joked that her double-double appeared “modest” in comparison with what Thomas did.
Kahlea Cooper nearly bought one too with 12 factors and 9 rebounds. In the meantime, Sami Whitbomb gave the staff 13 factors off the bench and assisted Cooper on the final discipline purpose of the night time. One other spotlight of the night time was DeWanna Bonner tallying eight boards to cross Candace Parker (610) for first all-time on the playoff rebounds record.
“For this reason we tried to get her to come back again house to Phoenix the final two offseasons,” Tibbetts stated of Bonner. “I rewatched our sport the opposite night time and simply listening to what individuals have been saying on TV about all of her accolades, what she has executed within the playoffs … We’re so rattling fortunate to have her. She’s been superior, we have liked having her. She is an enormous purpose why we’re the place we’re.”
Stewart deserves credit score
Stewart suffered an MCL sprain in her left knee throughout Sport 2, however she determined to swimsuit up on Friday and put forth a valiant effort. Though many of the Liberty got here out flat, Stewart introduced the power from the start and performed with the identical depth for all 35 of her minutes. She left all of it out on the ground and scored all of New York’s 14 factors within the fourth quarter.
Stewart completed the night time with 30 factors, 9 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. She additionally earned numerous respect from her opponents.
“When it is playoff time, you do not wanna go house. You are gonna give the whole lot you’ve,” Thomas stated of Stewart. “Stewie’s the final word competitor. She confirmed it day in, time out, particularly with all of the accidents she’s had. You must give her numerous credit score for what she was capable of do.”
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