Phoenix Mercury Host Full-Strength New York Liberty in WNBA Playoffs Opener

The 2025 WNBA playoffs feature a first-round matchup between the No. 4 Phoenix Mercury and the No. 5 New York Liberty, both teams finishing the regular season with identical 27-17 records. The Liberty, the reigning champions, have battled injuries throughout the season, including to key players Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones, but enter the playoffs fully healthy for the first time, boosting their chances to defend their title. The Mercury, led by MVP candidate Alyssa Thomas, secured home-court advantage by winning three of their four regular-season meetings against New York, though these games featured various lineup changes due to injuries and acquisitions on both sides. Both coaches emphasize the importance of health and readiness, with Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts resting players late in the season to prepare for the playoffs, and Liberty coach Sandy Brondello confident in her team's resilience and ability to overcome adversity. The series promises intense, high-scoring basketball featuring key individual matchups, particularly between Thomas and Stewart, as both teams seek to advance amid evenly matched competition. Game 1 tips off Sunday at PHX Arena and will be televised on ESPN, setting the stage for a thrilling playoff showdown.