Image Credit: © Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

WNBA Playoffs 2025: Phoenix Mercury Eliminate Defending Champions Liberty to Advance to Semifinals for First Time Since 2021

The Mercury will face the Minnesota Lynx in semifinals.

Image Credit: © Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Phoenix Mercury handed a stunning 79-73 loss to the New York Liberty, in Game 3 of their best-of-three 2025 WNBA Playoffs series. With this, they not only knocked the defending champions out of the season, but also booked their first semifinal berth in three seasons. Satou Sabally led the Mercury with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists. Apart from her, Alyssa Thomas posted her fifth postseason triple-double recording 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.

MERCURY IN MOTION 🤩

The Phoenix Mercury rise above the New York Liberty (79-73) to win the series 2-1 and advance to the Semi-Finals in the 2025 WNBA Playoffs presented by @Google!

With tonight’s victory, they get their first playoff series win since 2021 🔥#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/S5DvKdP2rj
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 20, 2025

Thomas also became the first player in WNBA history to record a 20-point triple-double in the postseason. Sami Whitcomb added 13 points, one rebound, and one assist off the bench, while Kahleah Copper came up with 12 points, and nine rebounds. The Mercury shot 26-of-71 from the field, 9-of-24 from the deep and 18-of-22 from the free-throw line, and restricted their counterparts to 23-of-68 from the field, and 7-of-32 from the three-point zone. With the win, the Mercury are now 32-31 while facing elimination in the playoffs.

ALYSSA THOMAS SHOWED OUT IN GAME 3! 💥

🔥 20 PTS
🔥 11 REB
🔥 11 AST
🔥 She became the first player in WNBA history to record a 20-point triple-double in the postseason

The Phoenix Mercury advance to the WNBA Semis! 👏pic.twitter.com/8OGusw4DWc
— NBA (@NBA) September 20, 2025

Breanna Stewart delivered a heroic performance and led the Liberty with 30 points, 14 in the final quarter, despite spraining her MCL five days ago. She grabbed nine rebounds, and dished out three assists while shooting 8-of-17 from the field. In addition, she is now tied for the most 30-point playoff games in the history of the league. Sabrina Ionescu came up with 22 points, six rebounds, and four assists, and apart from them, no other player could manage to cross the 10-point mark.

BREANNA STEWART CAN'T BE STOPPED 🗣️

Give her 3 and-1s in the 4Q! The Liberty are fighting for the final Playoff spot in the Semi-Finals https://t.co/qvBNOwooqV pic.twitter.com/dHnEdzJMb5
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 20, 2025

The Mercury had controlled the game for most of the time, maintaining a 12-point lead at one time. However, the Liberty responded in the second quarter, following which things remained tight for the rest of the game. In total, there were five ties and 13 lead changes through three quarters, which ended with the Mercury being on top 69-59. Liberty couldn’t lead in the fourth quarter though.

DeWanna Bonner Grabs Top Spot on WNBA’s Playoffs Rebound List as Phoenix Mercury End Liberty’s Title Defense

DeWanna Bonner had eight rebounds off the bench as the Mercury ended New York’s title defense in dramatic fashion. With her Friday-night’s performance, Bonner surpassed Candace Parker for the most playoff rebounds in the history of the league. Bonner now has a total of 614 rebounds in the playoffs, while the Los Angeles Sparks legend had a total of 610 rebounds.

Following Parker is former Indiana Fever superstar Tamika Catchings with 598 rebounds in the playoffs. Rebekkah Brunson, a five-time WNBA Champion and Jonquel Jones acquire the fourth and fifth spots, respectively with 563 rebounds and 484 rebounds, respectively.

Coming back to Bonner, the six-time WNBA All-Star will be back in action on Sunday, September 21, as the Mercury face the Minnesota Lynx in 2025 WNBA semifinals.

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.