BROOKLYN — The Phoenix Mercury look to ride their three-game winning streak momentum against the New York Liberty on Thursday at Barclays Center.
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Jun 18, 2025; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) looks before shooting the ball against the defense of Connecticut Sun forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa (10) during the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
The Mercury took a third straight win on Wednesday, defeating the Connecticut Sun on June 18. Phoenix dominated the first quarter, opening the quarter with a 10-0 run against Connecticut and taking a 22-9 lead after one. The Mercury relied on their aggressiveness and shooting from the free throw line.
The Sun battled back the next three quarters — at one point only down by five — and outscored the Mercury in each. However, the first quarter run was too much to overcome. Kahleah Copper shot two back-to-back three-pointers to help propel Phoenix to a victory in her second game back from injury.
Jun 18, 2025; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Lexi Held (1) dribbles the ball against the Connecticut Sun during the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Alyssa Thomas and Lexi Held each scored 14 points in the win, with Thomas adding 11 assists.
The Mercury are now 9-4 in the season and hold second place in the Western Conference.
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Jun 17, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud (9) drives past Atlanta Dream guard Te-Hina Paopao (2) in the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
The Liberty had a comeback win against the Atlanta Dream, 86-81, on June 17. New York took an early lead after the first quarter, 24-20, but Atlanta bounced back in the second quarter. The Dream had a 43-40 lead against the Liberty after the first half, and came out hot to start the second.
Atlanta extended their lead to 17 points, the largest New York has had to overcome this season. New York ended the third quarter on a 13-4 run to bring themselves closer. With four minutes left in the fourth, Liberty’s Natasha Cloud evened things up with a three-point shot, 76-76. Breanna Stewart’s go-ahead layup and an extra shot from the paint sealed the win for New York.
Jun 17, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) drives to the basket in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Dream at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Sabrina Ionescu scored 34 points with five assists in the win.
New York holds a 10-1 record and is first in the Eastern Conference.
What a fitting return for Alyssa Thomas in her first game back in Connecticut:
14 PTS
8 REB
11 ASTThe Sun’s all-time assists leader recorded her 4th straight game with 10+ assists!#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/lh2Cj2DQOh
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 19, 2025
The Phoenix Mercury and the New York Liberty go head-to-head on Thursday, June 19 at 4 p.m.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
