According to Associated Press reporting, Sabrina Ionescu recorded 27 points and 10 assists, powering the New York Liberty to a narrow 94-92 victory over the Phoenix Mercury. The hard-fought road win showcased New York’s depth as the squad navigates the competitive WNBA regular-season schedule.
Bench Production and Foul Trouble Shape the First Half
According to Associated Press coverage, Han Xu stepped up significantly off the bench for New York, scoring 17 points in response to Jonquel Jones running into early foul trouble. Xu capitalized on extended minutes by shooting 6 of 9 from the field, which included hitting 3 of 6 attempts from beyond the arc. In just nine first-half minutes, Xu tallied 11 points to keep the Liberty offense afloat against a persistent Mercury lineup.
Jonquel Jones eventually stabilized her game in the second half, according to game statistics, finishing with 16 points—half of which came during a crucial fourth-quarter push. Jones also contributed nine rebounds and five assists, anchoring the paint alongside teammate Breanna Stewart, who added 14 points and 11 boards for the Liberty, bringing their record to 17-13.
Mercury Stars Match Starpower in Down-to-the-Wire Finish
The Phoenix Mercury relied heavily on their veteran core to keep the contest within reach, with DeWanna Bonner and Kahleah Copper posting 25 points apiece, according to the Associated Press report. Alyssa Thomas chipped in another 17 points for Phoenix, whose record shifted to 11-19 following the final buzzer. The matchup also marked a historic career milestone for Bonner, who appeared in her 565th WNBA game, tying Diana Taurasi for second for most in a career.
Copper fueled a furious late-game comeback attempt, scoring her 10th game of the season with at least 25 points. After New York had built an eight-point cushion entering the final minute, Copper sank a pair of free throws before Bonner connected on a 3-pointer with 24.1 seconds remaining to narrow the gap to 92-90.
Pro Tip: Analyzing Late-Game Fouling Strategies
When protecting a narrow lead in the final minute, teams often rely on disciplined free-throw shooting to run out the clock. In this matchup, New York finished a perfect 19 of 19 from the foul line, securing just enough cushion to withstand Phoenix’s final-seconds layup.
Upcoming Schedules for Liberty and Mercury
According to the Associated Press, the New York Liberty return home for a two-game series with Seattle beginning on Monday. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Mercury immediately hit the road to open a demanding four-game, seven-day road trip in Chicago on Monday.
Did You Know?
DeWanna Bonner’s appearance in this game tied her with Diana Taurasi at 565 career WNBA games played, placing both veterans near the very top of the league’s all-time durability and longevity lists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who led the New York Liberty in scoring against Phoenix?
Sabrina Ionescu led the Liberty with 27 points along with 10 assists, according to Associated Press reports.
What milestone did DeWanna Bonner reach in this game?
DeWanna Bonner played in her 565th career WNBA game, tying Diana Taurasi for second for most in a career, according to game records.
How did the Liberty secure the win at the end?
New York relied on clutch free-throw shooting—finishing 19 of 19 from the line—to fend off a late push that included a 3-pointer from Bonner and a layup by Alyssa Thomas.
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