Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Imagn Images

New York Liberty Edge Out Mercury in Overtime to Take Game 1 of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs

Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Imagn Images

New York Liberty held the nerves in overtime to clinch the opening game in the Round 1 of the 2025 WNBA playoffs. The defending champions overcame the Phoenix Mercury 76-69 to take a 1-0 lead in best-of-three first-round playoff series. The Liberty will qualify for the WNBA semifinals with a win in Game 2 on Wednesday at home.

The @nyliberty held on late to defeat the Mercury, 76-69, in a THRILLER! They outscored Phoenix 11-4 in overtime to take Game 1 👏

▪️ Natasha Cloud – 23 PTS | 6 REB | 5 AST | 4 STL | 3 3PM
▪️ Breanna Stewart – 18 PTS | 6 REB | 4 AST
▪️ Sabrina Ionescu – 16 PTS | 6 REB | 7 AST… pic.twitter.com/8LXJPuCA16
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 14, 2025

Leonie Fiebich’s Clutch Basket in Overtime Assures Victory for Defending Champs

Natasha Cloud scored 23 points, and Breanna Stewart chipped in with 18 for New York. Stewart fell to the ground and grabbed at her left knee in the overtime. She left the game about a minute later and didn’t return. Stewart had a bone bruise in her other knee two months back. The Liberty coach Sandy Brondello didn’t talk much on her injury.

Kahleah Copper led Phoenix with 15 points and Alyssa Thomas had 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. DeWanna Bonner chipped in with 12 points.

CLUTCH SHOT BY LEONIE FIEBICH 😤

The Liberty go up 76-69 with less than a minute in OT!

NYL-PHX | ESPN | WNBA Playoffs | @google pic.twitter.com/laLCcO3MNO
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 14, 2025

Liberty dominated the overtime with an 8-0 run which helped them to take a 73-65 lead with 1:51 left. Cloud, who played in Phoenix last season, made a three-pointer in the beginning to start the overtime. Mercury tried to reduce the gap but Leonie Fiebich hit a huge 3-pointer to close the game.

Cloud was instrumental in the final quarter as well as she made consecutive layups to give the Liberty a two-point lead with 4:17 left. Phoenix came back through Copper and took a 65-63 lead with 1:44 remaining. Stewart made a basket in the final 13 seconds to force the overtime.

KAH GETS PHX ON TOP 😤

Kahleah Copper comes in CLUTCH to put the Mercury ahead in the fourth!

NYL-PHX | ESPN | WNBA Playoffs | @Google pic.twitter.com/MEmYL20aCV
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 14, 2025

Phoenix struggled in shooting as they made 25 of 77 (33%) from the field and had 23% shooting (6 of 26) from 3-point line. Liberty fell short of one turnover for their season-high. They had 14 turnovers in the opening half.

Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Imagn Images

2025 WNBA Playoffs

New York Liberty

Gulshan Sharma

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.