Liberty’s collapse continues with 80-64 loss to Mercury

Photo by Steven Freeman/NBAE via Getty ImagesAfter their fourth straight loss — all at home — to the Phoenix Mercury Friday night, the New York Liberty’s playoff chances are hanging on by a thread. With five games left, the Libs are now 11-16, in the eighth and final playoff spot but on seven percentage points ahead of the ninth place Los Angeles Sparks and a half game ahead of the Washington Mystics.

After the 80-64 loss to Phoenix, their second in three nights, New York is now 1-5 since the WNBA’s Olympic break.

As has happened too often this season, the Liberty fought hard for much of the game but collapsed in the fourth quarter. Worse, New York lost yet another player. Jazmine Jones went…