New York’s Breanna Stewart is the biggest X-factor for Wednesday’s playoff game between the reigning WNBA champion Liberty and the visiting Phoenix Mercury.
The Liberty lead the best-of-three series 1-0 and would advance to the semifinals with a victory. If Phoenix wins, the Mercury would host the deciding third game Friday night.
Stewart, a seven-time All-Star forward, injured her left knee late in New York’s 76-69 overtime win Sunday.
Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said Tuesday that Stewart’s imaging came back “relatively clean” and she’s considered a game-time decision. New York point guard Natasha Cloud admitted she is concerned.
“We have a closer locker room, and we care about Stewie more than just as a basketball player,” Cloud said after Game 1. “She got us the (win), but we have a next-man-up mentality.”
Stewart, who earlier this season missed 13 games due to a bone bruise to her right knee, had an impressive performance Sunday, posting 18 points, six rebounds and four assists. She was also the primary defender on Mercury star Alyssa Thomas, who had 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
Thomas, though, missed a layup with two seconds left in regulation that likely would have won the game. Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts pointed to experience as one of his team’s issues.
“(Experience) is one thing our group can’t make up for,” he said. “We haven’t been through it together like (the Liberty) have.”
Perhaps that relative inexperience explains why Satou Sabally, 27, shot just 2-for-17. Teammate Monique Akoa Makani, 24, shot just 2-for-11.
As a team, Phoenix made just 32.5 percent from the floor, and that allowed New York to escape with a victory despite 21 turnovers — 10 more than the Mercury. The Liberty had 14 of those turnovers in the second half.
In addition, Phoenix’s bench outscored New York’s reserves 21-2 on Sunday. But to win Wednesday, the Mercury will likely need to get more from their starters, particularly Sabally, who made just 1 of 10 3-point tries.
For New York, look for improved play from center Jonquel Jones and reserve power forward Emma Meesseman, who combined to score just nine points Sunday. Jones was the MVP of last year’s WNBA Finals; Meesseman was Finals MVP in 2019.
If Stewart can’t go Wednesday, Jones and Meesseman will be even more important for the Liberty. Meesseman would likely step into the starting lineup.
–Field Level Media
