Mercury ends Liberty's perfect home run with impressive win in WNBA
Rookie
Monique Akoa Makani
scored a career-high 21 points to lead the
Phoenix Mercury
to a thrilling 89-81 comeback win over the
New York Liberty
on Thursday night, snapping New York's perfect home record.
The victory extended Mercury's winning streak to four games, improving their season mark to 10-4.
Akoa Makani, who shot 8-of-12 from the field, delivered her best performance yet, surpassing her previous high of 14 points set in May. She headlined a balanced Mercury offence that overcame a 35-point explosion from Liberty star
Breanna Stewart
.
by Taboola
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— WNBA (@WNBA)
Alyssa Thomas
powered the Mercury with a double-double of 18 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists.
Sami Whitcomb
added 16 points, including four timely 3-pointers, while
Satou Sabally
chipped in 15 points and nine boards. Kitija Laksa also contributed 13 points off the bench.
Live Events
Despite a poor 3-point shooting night (7-of-31), the Mercury made up ground at the free-throw line, converting 22-of-27 (81.5%). Their composure down the stretch proved crucial in halting New York's home dominance.
— WNBA (@WNBA)
The Liberty, now 10-2, lost for the second time in three games. Stewart scored 18 points in the third quarter alone but lacked support.
Sabrina Ionescu
finished with 16 points but went just 3-of-16 from the field and 1-of-10 from beyond the arc.
Trailing 65-64 heading into the fourth, Mercury seized control with a 13-5 run. Akoa Makani hit a jumper to break a 68-68 tie, and Laksa added to the surge. Whitcomb's fourth 3-pointer extended the lead to 10 with just over three minutes left, and the Mercury closed it out at the line.
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