Overview

• New York’s defeat in Phoenix delayed an official playoff clinch and gave the Mercury the head-to-head edge that could shape first-round positioning.
• Breanna Stewart called the team’s play “not good enough,” saying the Liberty are not playing championship-level basketball with only four regular-season games remaining.
• The Liberty are the No. 5 seed at 24-16 and would face Phoenix in the first round if the standings hold.
• Against the Mercury, New York committed 19 turnovers that led to 26 points, was beaten on the offensive glass, and was outscored 43-24 after halftime.
• Injuries and lineup churn persist, with Sabrina Ionescu sidelined by a toe injury, 16 different starting lineups used, and Stewart, Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones sharing the court in only 13 games as coach Sandy Brondello acknowledged the team is “not where we need to be.”