In a stunning upset, the Phoenix Mercury ended the New York Liberty’s title defense with a gritty 79‑73 victory in Game 3 of their opening round playoff series. The Liberty, coming in as defending champions, were led by Breanna Stewart who poured in 30 points — all while battling a sprained MCL — and Sabrina Ionescu added 22 more in a hard‑fought effort. Despite their star power, New York struggled down the stretch as Phoenix mounted crucial plays, including a late 7‑0 run in the fourth quarter that tightened the game. For the Mercury, Satou Sabally had 23 points, Alyssa Thomas contributed a commanding triple‑double, and veterans like DeWanna Bonner and Kahleah Copper stepped up in big moments. New York’s supporting cast failed to produce — Jonquel Jones, usually reliable, ended with just 3 points on 1‑of‑10 shooting, and the team’s overall shooting and rebounding lapses proved costly. With the win, Phoenix advanced while the Liberty’s season ended prematurely