The New York Liberty played their biggest game of the season, to date, on Friday night. The Phoenix Mercury had beaten (depleted versions of) them twice in the season’s first half, and entered this matchup just two games behind them in the standings. The WNBA’s #2 and #3 seeds seem destined to collide in the semifinals, and though Jonquel Jones was not been healthy for either matchup, the Mercury have had their number this year.
Friday night, a characteristically live Barclays Center crowd, a high-level matchup with something approaching playoff stakes. What could be better?
Pregame, Sandy Brondello was optimistic about New York’s chances to stop a Phoenix offense led by Alyssa Thomas, one that’s given them so much trouble this season: “I think with JJ back, that’s a little bit more size, a player that knows [Thomas] extremely well.