Mercury Dethrone Defending Champs Liberty in Thrilling Game 3 Upset

Mercury Eliminate Defending Champs Liberty With Gritty Game 3 Win The Phoenix Mercury stunned the New York Liberty with a hard-fought 79-73 victory in Game 3 of their WNBA playoff series, eliminating the defending champions from contention. The thrilling win marked a turning point in the opening round of the playoffs, showcasing the league's growing parity. In the first half, the physical play between the two teams set the tone for the game. Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally led the charge with 17 points, including three crucial three-pointers that gave her team a significant edge. "We knew it was going to be a battle," Sabally said in a post-game interview. "We just tried to stay focused and play our game." The Liberty, seeking their third consecutive WNBA title, struggled to contain the Mercury's high-powered offense. New York's Sabrina Ionescu, last year's MVP, managed 22 points but was outdone by her counterpart, Sabally. The Liberty's defense, which had been a key factor in their success throughout the season, faltered under the pressure of the playoff atmosphere. The Phoenix Mercury's victory marked a significant upset, as many predicted the Liberty to advance to the next round. However, the Mercury's grit and determination proved too much for the defending champions. "We've been working towards this moment all season," said Mercury coach Vanessa Nygaard. "Our players showed incredible heart and resilience tonight." The win propels the Mercury into the next round of the playoffs, where they will face a new challenge in the upcoming series. The Liberty, meanwhile, will regroup and reassess their strategy for next season. Background: The Phoenix Mercury entered the playoffs as the sixth seed, while the New York Liberty were the defending champions. The two teams had split their regular-season matchups, with each team winning one game. Context: The WNBA playoff series is a best-of-three format, with the winner advancing to the next round. The parity in the league has been evident throughout the season, with several teams vying for top spot. Additional perspectives: "This win shows that our team can compete with anyone," said Sabally. "We're excited to see what's next." *Reporting by Forbes.*