The New York Liberty’s bid to defend their championship ended Friday night in Phoenix. A 79-73 loss to the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the first round on Sept. 19 eliminated New York earlier than expected and left the team with urgent questions about how to return to the Finals.
Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu carried, support did not
Breanna Stewart scored 30 points, and Sabrina Ionescu added 22, but no other Liberty player reached double figures. Jonquel Jones finished with just three points, while Kennedy Burke and Natasha Cloud combined for 15. The numbers tell the story: The stars delivered, but the supporting cast did not.
Last year’s title run was fueled by balance in scoring, rebounding and defense. On Friday, that balance vanished. Phoenix forced Stewart and Ionescu to shoulder nearly every possession, and when the ball swung elsewhere, the offense often stalled.
First-round loss revealed concerning issue
This series showed how thin the margin is for even the most talented teams. The Liberty started the season 9-0 and looked every bit like contenders, but as the year wore on, injuries and inconsistency chipped away at their rhythm. Stewart sprained her knee early in the playoffs, and Jonquel Jones missed time during the summer, which disrupted chemistry. Ionescu also played through nagging issues in August, which affected her flow.
Still, Stewart and Ionescu rose to the moment in Game 3. The larger problem was depth. Phoenix got contributions from across its roster, while New York leaned heavily on two players. On defense, the Liberty struggled to contain quick guards, and slow rotations led to second-chance opportunities for the Mercury. Offensively, possessions became predictable, and without reliable production from the bench, New York could not sustain momentum.
Blueprint to get back to the Finals
For the Liberty, this loss should not be seen as the end of a window but as a reminder of what must be strengthened:
Develop more scoring options. Another guard who can attack the basket would ease the load on Ionescu and create easier shots for the team.
Add variety on offense. Mixing inside-out play with more movement can prevent defenses from locking in on Stewart or Ionescu.
Win the rebounding battle. Phoenix controlled the glass in Game 3. Owning the boards gives New York more second chances and keeps opponents from running in transition.
Build depth. Consistent production from the bench will prevent the offense from stalling when the stars rest.
Manage player health. Smarter rotation planning early in the season can help Stewart, Jones and Ionescu stay fresher for the playoffs.
Looking ahead
The Liberty remain one of the league’s most talented teams. Stewart is an MVP, Ionescu is an elite shot-maker and Jones is capable of dominating the paint. The stars still produced like champions. What must change is the consistency around them.
If New York finds more balance, tightens execution and preserves its health, the blueprint for another Finals run is clear. This year’s early exit is a disappointment, but it can also be the foundation for a stronger, more complete push back to the top.