Matchup: New York Liberty vs Phoenix Mercury
Date: Friday, September 19, 2025
Venue: PHX Arena, Phoenix, AZ
Broadcast: ESPN2
In the third game of their series, the New York Liberty (27-17) take on the Phoenix Mercury (27-17) at PHX Arena this Friday. The series is tied at 1-1, with Phoenix favored by 2.5 points and a total set at 155.5.
The Liberty encountered a setback in Game 1, suffering a defeat with a final score of 86-60. New York finished the game with a shooting percentage of 30.2%, making 19 of 63 shots from the floor, including 6 of 26 from beyond the arc. They converted 16 of 25 free throws for a 64.0% success rate. On the boards, they grabbed a total of 36 rebounds, including 9 offensive boards. New York provided 14 assists, turned the ball over 8 times, and secured 5 steals. Defensively, they allowed Phoenix to shoot 47.9%, connecting on 34 out of 71 attempts. The Mercury tallied 8 assists and achieved 10 steals, in addition to snatching 39 rebounds (8 offensive, 31 defensive) and blocking 2 shots. Phoenix excelled at the free-throw line, hitting 11 of 12 attempts for 91.7% and making 7 of 24 three-point shots.
Emma Meesseman stood out during the game, contributing significantly with 11 points from 4 of 9 shooting. She played 18 minutes and pulled down 6 rebounds while dishing out 3 assists.
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The Liberty enter this clash with a solid 27-17 record this season. They average 84.4 points per game, ranking 4th in the league, and boast a shooting percentage of 45.3% from the field. New York excels from beyond the arc, hitting 35.5% of their three-point attempts (419 out of 1,180) and maintaining an impressive 83.7% from the free-throw line. As a collective, they average 33.7 rebounds per game and have logged 960 assists this season, which ranks 2nd in the WNBA. They commit an average of 12.9 turnovers and 16.2 personal fouls per contest. Defensively, the Liberty force 12.6 turnovers each game and average 16.8 fouls. They limit their opponents to a shooting percentage of 42.4% (553 of 740) and allow an average of 35.3 rebounds. The Liberty are positioned 7th in assists surrendered, totaling 873 this year, and opponents convert 31.5% of their three-point attempts against them, ranking 6th in points allowed per game at 80.3.
In Game 2, the Mercury secured 31 defensive boards along with 8 offensive rebounds for a total of 39. Phoenix coughed the ball up 8 times but managed 10 steals. Meanwhile, the Liberty were called for 14 fouls, allowing the Mercury 12 free-throw attempts, of which they made 11, achieving a success rate of 91.7%. From long range, Phoenix converted 7 of 24 attempts (29.2%). By the end of the contest, the Mercury had a 47.9% shooting accuracy, hitting 34 of 71 attempts. They effectively limited the Liberty to a 30.2% shooting rate, allowing only 19 of 63 attempts from the field and 23.1% from three-point range (6 of 26), while going 16 of 25 from the free-throw line (64.0%). Phoenix permitted New York to gather 36 rebounds overall, with 9 coming on the offensive side.
Satou Sabally made her presence felt during the matchup, converting 5 of 11 attempts for a 45.5% shooting rate, while collecting 7 rebounds and scoring 15 points over her 30 minutes of play. She also dished out 4 assists.
Phoenix, similarly boasting a record of 27-17 this season, has accumulated 3,643 points overall, averaging 82.8 points per game. They secure 34.7 rebounds per contest and commit 17.8 fouls while shooting 78.4% from the free-throw line. Offensively, the Mercury’s shooting percentage stands at 43.3%, ranking 9th in the league. They average 21.0 assists per game (5th in the WNBA) and turn the ball over 12.5 times each game. Defensively, they are positioned 5th in points allowed per game at 80.1, permitting 19.7 assists and 35.3 rebounds per game, ranking 6th and 10th, respectively. Phoenix restricts opponents to 32.1% on three-point attempts (347 of 1,082) and allows 80.4% success at the free-throw line. They force 13.8 turnovers per game and permit opponents to shoot 42.7% from the floor (4th in the league).
Who will emerge victorious tonight in the WNBA matchup against the spread?
Josh Schonwald’s Prediction: Take New York (+2.5)
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