TEAM NOTABLES

In the first matchup in a four-game road trip, the New York Liberty (6-4) outlasted the Phoenix Mercury (5-6), 85-83, ending their three-game skid.

With 28 points contributed from the bench, the Liberty led by as many as 17 points in the first half to get their first victory over the Mercury since July 5, 2019.

The visiting Liberty led by 12 at halftime. Thanks to a 9-0 run by the Mercury less than two minutes into the third quarter, Phoenix cut the lead to three. The Mercury eventually tied the game at 51 with a layup by Kia Nurse with 5:38 on the third quarter clock. Despite being outscored 25-19 in the third, New York maintained a six-point lead heading into the final frame.

A narrow two-point lead with 5:50 remaining in the fourth, despite several efforts from Phoenix, New York held onto the lead and secured their first win since May 24.

In a contest that saw seven lead changes and four ties, New York finished with 18 team assists. The team also totaled 36 rebounds, 7 steals, and a season-low 10 turnovers.

The Liberty tallied 32 points in the paint, the same amount as the Mercury, and converted on 6 fast break points.

New York finished on 42.1% (32-76) shooting from the field, 31.3% (10-32) from beyond the arc and 78.6% (11-14) at the free throw line.

Up Next: On Tuesday, June 15, the New York Liberty will matchup against the Las Vegas Aces in their second game of the four-game West Coast trip. Tip-off is 10 pm ET on ESPN3 and myLVTV.

PLAYER NOTABLES

Four Liberty players scored in double figures in today’s game (Laney, Jones, Whitcomb, Shook).

Betnijah Laney led all Liberty scorers with 23 points on 47.4% (9-19) shooting from the field and 33.3% (3-9) shooting from beyond the arc. Laney added 10 assists (game-high) and 7 rebounds, her second double-double of the season. She totaled a game-high 17 first half points on 70% (7-10) shooting from the field and 75% (3-4) from three. Tonight’s performance was Betnijah’s ninth 20+ game of the 2021 season, and the just fifth time in WNBA history a player has recorded 20+ points, 10+ assists, 7+ rebounds and just one turnover.

Jazmine Jones added a season-high 16 points (14 in fourth quarter) on 46.2% (6-13) shooting from the field and 100% (1-1) shooting from beyond the arc. Jones also added a season-high 7 rebounds.

In her first start this season, Rebecca Allen added 7 points on 33.3% (3-9) shooting from the field, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals- including the game-winning swipe on the final possession.

Sami Whitcomb recorded 14 points on 50.0% (5-10) from the field, 42.9% (3-7) from deep, 6 assists, and 3 steals.

Kylee Shook notched 10 points on 57.1% (4-7) from the field, 66.7% (2-3) from deep, and 5 rebounds.

Reshanda Gray totaled 8 points on 42.9% (3-7) from the field and 5 boards in her return to the Liberty’s frontcourt. Tonight, New York improved to 3-0 with Gray on the 2021 season.

Brittney Griner was Phoenix’s leading scorer with 29 points on 62.5% (10-16) shooting from the field, 100% (1-1) from three, and recorded a game-high 14 rebounds.

Skylar Diggins-Smith tallied 25 points on 37.5% (6-16) shooting from the field to go along with a team best 5 assists.