The Phoenix Mercury being the WNBA’s hottest team isn’t just clear by their league-best six straight wins — and having their best record (12-4) since 2014.
It’s also because Phoenix dominated the defending champion New York Liberty, 106-91, at PHX Arena on Friday, June 27. They swapped spots with New York, moving from third to second place in the standings.
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“I thought we were rested,” Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts said after the game about the six-day break since their 107-86 win at Chicago on June 21. “(The Liberty) have been on a West Coast swing. They’re a little beat up and injured.
“We came out and played extremely hard in the first half. Our execution was fantastic. Our spacing was great. Our shooters got them up. We shared it. Thirty assists is pretty impressive.”
In addition, Phoenix beat New York (11-4) just over a week ago, June 19 in Brooklyn, 89-81, which handed the Liberty their first home loss this season.
The Mercury’s new Big 3 of Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper made their home debut together and powered the team past Breanna Stewart (17 points, five rebounds, four assists, one steal) and the Liberty.
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Sabally shined with the game-high 25 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals. Thomas nearly had a triple-double with 17 points, a game-high 15 assists (one shy of her career high) and nine boards.
“Every game we are getting more used to each other,” Sabally said. “Her (Thomas) finding these cuts and also finding these passes helps a lot. They have to keep her honest, right?
“When they guard me, they have to keep me honest, when Sami (Whitcomb) is out there shooting in a split second. Everyone is also on edge when they defend us, so being able to feed off each other makes life easier.”
Copper had 12 points and four rebounds in her first home game this season, after being sidelined because of left knee surgery at the end of training camp in May.
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“Knowing the player that Kah is, I thought she had good moments and moments that she looked a bit rusty,” Tibbetts said. “I told her I was gonna play her the first seven minutes and she said, ‘I may have to ask for a sub.’
“Players get into such a routine with their fitness, and I thought she battled through the first quarter, which is good. Part of it is just burning at your lungs a little bit, kind of just going through it.”
The Mercury’s accurate 3-point shooting kept the distance, nailing 18-of-39. They set a franchise record of 17-plus makes from the arc for two straight games. Sabally had an impressive 7-of-10 from deep, her season-best.
Phoenix held All-Star Sabrina Ionescu to just nine points on a paltry 2-of-9 shooting. The Liberty’s top performers besides Stewart were Nyara Sabally (Satou’s sister, 16 points), and former Mercury guard Natasha Cloud (14 points, seven assists).
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“It’s not what the game plan was,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said. “A lack of communication – if anything a lack of toughness – and then not communicating, and then two people running to the ball and wide open. So, I mean, I think we’re all disappointed.”
Friday’s showdown was all Phoenix nearly from the onset. After the Mercury took a 5-4 lead at 7:54, they went on a 12-3 run and eventually closed the opening period up by nine. The margin was in double figures for most of the second quarter, but the Liberty struck back behind Marine Johannes (10 points off the bench) with a 13-2 run to cut the lead to seven.
The Mercury got over the defensive lull and drew away to lead by 19 just after the one-minute mark.
The Mercury found a major lift from backup guards Whitcomb (15 points, all from the 3) and Kitija Laksa (13 points).
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“No one has to take tough shots,” Thomas said about the Mercury’s selflessness on offense. “When you read what the defense is giving you, I think an open shot is better than anything. When you have so many shooters like that, it just makes it that much easier.”
The Mercury play next against the struggling Las Vegas Aces (7-8) at home on June 29 at 3 p.m.
(This story has been updated to add new information.)
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mercury rides Big 3, roll past Liberty for 6th straight win