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WNBA playoff matchups to watch<\/p>\n
USAT’s Meghan Hall and Sam Cardona-Norberg preview WNBA playoff matchups that they think will be the most entertaining watches.<\/p>\n
Sports Seriously<\/p>\n
The Phoenix Mercury<\/a> are turning the page on Sunday’s disappointing overtime loss to the New York Liberty<\/a>.<\/p>\n Despite shooting a dismal 32.5% from the field at home in Game 1<\/a> of the first-round WNBA playoffs<\/a> series, the Mercury had a chance to win in regulation, but a would-be game-winning layup from Alyssa Thomas<\/a> bounced off the rim and sent the game to overtime, where the Liberty outscored the Mercury 11-4 to steal Game 1.<\/p>\n “Right after the game in our huddle, we got right to it and said, ‘(Game 1) is done. It’s over.’ Our heads are still up,” Mercury guard Kahleah Copper<\/a> said after Phoenix’s 76-69 Game 1 loss. “The mindset is go get it. Let\u2019s go to New York and get it. There’s no other mindset. Whoever said \u2018Liberty in 3\u2019 or whatever, it’s cool, stay there. It’s alright. Mercury versus everybody. That\u2019s how we feel.\u201d<\/p>\n The Liberty didn’t escape with the overtime win unscathed. Forward Breanna Stewart<\/a> went down on Sunday with a left knee injury <\/a>with 3:01 remaining in overtime after making a driving layup. Imaging on her left knee came back “relatively clean.”<\/a> Liberty coach Sandy Brondello\u00a0revealed on Tuesday, but Stewart is considered a game-time decision for Wednesday’s Game 2 in Brooklyn.<\/p>\n GAME 1: New York Liberty beat Phoenix Mercury in thrilling Game 1 overtime win<\/a><\/p>\n BREANNA STEWART INJURY UPDATE: Liberty star a game-time decision for next playoff game<\/a><\/p>\n The Mercury will have to win on the road on Wednesday to avoid back-to-back first-round playoff exits. With a win, the defending champion Liberty will advance to the semifinals for the third consecutive season.<\/p>\n Here’s everything you need to know about Game 2 on Wednesday:<\/p>\n What time is Phoenix Mercury at New York Liberty?<\/p>\n The\u00a0New York Liberty host the Phoenix Mercury for Game 2 on Wednesday, Sept. 17\u00a0at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.<\/p>\n How to watch\u00a0Phoenix Mercury at New York Liberty: TV, streamTime:\u00a08 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT)Location:\u00a0Barclays Center (Brooklyn, NY)TV channel:\u00a0ESPNStreaming:\u00a0ESPN+, Disney+,\u00a0Fubo<\/a>\u00a0(free trial to new subscribers)WNBA starting lineups today<\/p>\n Here are the expected lineups for Wednesday’s Game 2:<\/p>\n Phoenix Mercury starting lineup<\/p>\n Head coach:\u00a0Nate Tibbetts<\/p>\n New York Liberty starting lineup<\/p>\n Head coach:\u00a0Sandy Brondello<\/p>\n New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart injury update<\/p>\n New York Liberty<\/a>\u00a0star\u00a0Breanna Stewart<\/a>\u00a0told reporters during Wednesday’s shootaround that she was diagnosed with a sprained MCL in her left knee. She said she plans to play in Game 2, even though she is listed as questionable. \u2014 Elizabeth Flores<\/p>\n New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart \u2013 QUESTIONABLE (Left Knee) said she\u2019s been feeling every day.<\/p>\n She said her pain level is at a \u201c3\u201d and there won\u2019t be a minutes restriction. pic.twitter.com\/T7i6c4JNmD<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo) September 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Who will win Game 2 in Brooklyn, New York? We asked the USA TODAY staff:<\/p>\n Heather Burns: Liberty 83, Mercury 80Cydney Henderson: Mercury 89, Liberty 82New York Liberty arrive to Game 2 in style<\/p>\n The Liberty made a fashion statement heading into Game 2. Liberty forward Breanna Stewart rocked a briefcase because she means business, while Liberty forward Isabelle Harrison let every one know that the “WNBA been popping.” Check out all the Liberty arrivals:<\/p>\n Spike Lee is in the house to cheer on Liberty<\/p>\n Game 2 between the Phoenix Mercury and the New York Liberty is sure to draw a star-studded crowd. New York superfan Spike Lee, who turned out to Brooklyn’s Barclays Center 90 minutes before tipoff. The Academy Award-winning director is a mainstay at New York sporting events and was inducted into the\u00a0Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s<\/a>\u00a0SuperFan Gallery in October 2024.<\/p>\n Phoenix Mercury guard Satou Sabally stats<\/p>\n Sabally is looking to bounce back from a particularly rough shooting night in Game 1. She recorded nine points in the Mercury’s loss to the Liberty on Sunday, shooting 2-of-17 from the field and 1-of-10 from the 3-point line. Sabally averaged 16.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 39 games (all starts), shooting 40.5% from the field and 32.1%.<\/p>\n Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas stats<\/p>\n Thomas averaged 15.4 points, a league-leading 9.2 assists and 7.2 rebounds in 39 games (all starts) this season. The 33-year-old recorded eight triple-doubles this season, a WNBA single-season record. Thomas, who was traded to the Mercury in February following 11 seasons in Connecticut, nearly reached a triple-double in Phoenix’s Game 1 loss, finishing with 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.<\/p>\n Phoenix Mercury guard Sabrina Ionescu stats<\/p>\n Ionescu averaged 18.2 points, 5.7 assists and 4.9 rebounds in 38 games (all starts) this season, shooting 40.1% from the field and a career-low 29.9% from the 3-point line. Ionescu had 16 points, seven assists and two blocks in Game 1, shooting 6-of-18 from the field and 3-of-12 from beyond the arc.<\/p>\n Phoenix Mercury vs. New York Liberty scheduleGame 1: Liberty 76, Mercury 69 OT<\/a>Game 2:\u00a0Mercury at Liberty, 8 p.m. ET Wednesday (ESPN)Game 3:\u00a0Liberty at Mercury, TBD Friday (ESPN2)<\/p>\n The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news \u2014 fast.\u00a0Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more<\/a>.<\/p>\n