Liberty sink Mercury thanks to crazy 23-point run…
Inside the Barclays Center Wednesday evening, there was a feeling of, “Oh no, not this again.”
The Liberty opened the second half flat. The Phoenix Mercury had been the aggressors and constructed a six-point lead.
Coach Chris DeMarco called a timeout. It’s not immediately clear what was said, but a message was obtained.
A change flipped. The defensive depth amplified. The consideration to element magnified. The Liberty performed invigorated.
New York bullied the Mercury as if they had been stealing their lunch money. With each basket made, Phoenix’ mild dimmed. With each Mercury turnover (seven in whole in the third quarter), the Liberty surged.
New York closed the quarter on a wildly spectacular 23-0 run that left the Mercury completely rattled and despatched Barclays Center into hysteria.
The Liberty took a 17-point lead into the fourth quarter and never let the Mercury back in, snapping a three-game dropping skid with an 84-74 win.
Wednesday was sure to convey an added layer of depth from the Liberty after the Mercury booted them in the first spherical of last 12 months’s playoffs.
Marine Johannès, who scored a teamp-high 21 factors, shoots a 3-pointer during the Liberty’s 84-74 win over the Mercury on May 27, 2026 at Barclays Center. Corey Sipkin for New York Post
“One-hundred percent,” Leonie Fiebich said. “I mean, all the people that were here last year, we can still feel that, and we’re gonna go out tonight with that kind of feeling.”
The Liberty entered Wednesday on a three-game skid, with frustration brewing from the staff’s uneven 3-4 start. New York also had a actuality examine Tuesday during a prolonged movie session that shined a highlight on the staff’s live-ball turnovers and correctable miscues.
Even though the Liberty are still without Sabrina Ionescu (back soreness) and Satou Sabally (sickness), New York needed to be better.
Jonquel Jones, who scored 17 factors, grabs one of her 12 rebounds during the Liberty’s win over the Mercury. Corey Sipkin for New York Post
There had been indicators of enchancment during the staff’s first half. It helped, of course, that Marine Johannès obtained sizzling from past the arc, making 7-of-9 makes an attempt from deep for 21 factors.
The staff regarded more intentional on protection.
But the best half was a third quarter that featured New York’s best run of the season.
The Liberty shot 10-for-18 (55.6 %) from the sphere, including 4-for-8 from deep.
Jonquel Jones logged 10 factors, 4 rebounds and three assists during that quarter. She completed with 17 factors, 12 rebounds and 4 assists.
There’s still loads of room for enchancment. But Wednesday was a clear step ahead after a poor start to this homestand.
“It’s the beginning of the season, and we still were missing pieces,” Fiebich said, “but I think we’re in a good (spot). Also, defensively, I think we got a lot to improve on.”
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