Image Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

2025 WNBA Playoffs Game 3 Injury Report and Predicted Starting Lineups Phoenix Mercury vs New York Liberty- Latest Updates as Liberty and Mercury Gear Up for Round 1 Finale

The winner of the series will lock horns with the Minnesota Lynx in semifinals.

Image Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The Phoenix Mercury will wrap up the 2025 WNBA Playoffs first-round best-of-three series by welcoming the New York Liberty in Game 3 on Friday, September 19 at home, PHX Arena. Currently tied 1-1, the winner of the decider will move ahead and book their semifinals berth, while the losers will be knocked out of the playoffs.

The opener saw the Liberty register an easy win over their upper-seeded rivals and took early control of the series. In Game 2, Phoenix defeated the reigning champions in blowout fashion, and forced Game 3 which will now decide the fate of both the teams.

The previous game saw Satou Sabally pouring in 15 points, seven rebounds, and four assists after a flop show in the series opener. Alyssa Thomas also added 15 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out seven assists in front of the New York crowd. Three more players, including Kahleah Copper, DeWanna Bonner, and Kathryn Westbeld finished in double-digit scores for the visitors.

On the other hand, the Liberty, who were hoping to leverage their home conditions and close the series, had only one player score more than ten points.

One of the key reasons behind Liberty’s defeat was Breanna Stewart’s injury. Stewart, the leading Liberty scorer, sprained her MCL in the series opener, and was listed questionable for Game 2. Though she laced up for the game, the three-time WNBA champion was restricted to only six points, two rebounds, and two assists in 20 minutes of action. She, along with Jonquel Jones, and Sabrina Ionescu sat out for the entirety of the fourth quarter, further allowing Mercury to execute their defense-emphasized plan with near perfection.

Everything has come down to one final game! While Phoenix would aim to make the most of their home-court advantage, New York would come with a better strategy to pull off a stunner and clinch a victory against all odds.

With that said, let’s have a look at the injury reports for both teams along with their expected starting lineups.

Phoenix Mercury vs New York Liberty 2025 WNBA Playoffs Injury Report

When: Friday, September 19, 2025 | 1:10 pm ET
Venue: PHX Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
TV: ESPN2 | Live Stream: WNBA League Pass

Phoenix Mercury Injuries

None

Everything’s fine with Mercury!

New York Liberty Injuries

None

STATUS UPDATE FOR GAME 3

NOBODY ON THE REPORT. Seems like Breanna Stewart is as good as she’s going to be. pic.twitter.com/iWgLAZUEZX
— SSN- New York Liberty (@SSN_Liberty) September 19, 2025

The Liberty have a clean injury report for the win-or-go-home game against the Mercury on Friday. We can expect Stewart to be her original self and come up with an impactful performance.

Phoenix Mercury vs New York Liberty Predicted Starting Lineups

Mercury– Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas, Natasha Mack, Monique Akoa Makani, Kahleah Copper

Liberty– Breanna Stewart, Leonie Fiebich, Jonquel Jones, Natasha Cloud, Sabrina Ionescu

2025 WNBA Playoffs

New York Liberty

Phoenix Mercury

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.