The defending champions are on the brink of elimination.
It seemed that way on Sunday when Alyssa Thomas rose up for a layup, but surprisingly smoked the attempt and gave the Liberty life.
But this time, it was Thomas and her Mercury squad taking care of business on Wednesday night with a 86-60 Game 2 win at Barclays Center.
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The series now shifts back to Phoenix for a decisive Game 3 to decide who will likely face the No. 1 seed Minnesota Lynx in a second-round best-of-five series.
And if the Liberty continue playing like they did on Wednesday night, Friday’s Game 3 will be the last time they can call themselves defending champions.
The Liberty’s highly-touted five-out offense looked as bad as it ever looked all season.
Not even one Liberty starter managed to score in double figures in 40 minutes of action. Emma Meesseman scored a team-high 11 points in 18 minutes off the bench.
On the other end, four Mercury players — Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally, Kahleah Copper and DeWanna Bonner scored at least 14 points.
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There was too much dribbling on the perimeter by Natasha Cloud and Sabrina Ionescu. The Liberty struggled to get by point of attack pressure — mostly applied by Copper, Monique Akoa Makani — all night.
The home team managed to finish the first quarter tied, 25-25. But, Sandy Brondello’s team fell apart in the second.
The Mercury’s first three baskets of the quarter — all scored by Sabally — were on Breanna Stewart or with the injured forward in screen-and-roll action.
It’s a totally rational strategy to gauge how well the elite defender can get close to that level while dealing with a sprained MCL.
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After a timeout, Kennedy Burke defended Sabally while Stewart stayed on Bonner, but it only lasted a possession as Stewart headed to the bench.
Phoenix continued that surge, which resulted in a 16-5 run midway through the second.
The Liberty failed to create offense and those misfires got the Mercury going in transition. And at no juncture did the team make repeated intentional efforts to lean on the engine of the team — Jonquel Jones.
The 6-6 machine spent too many positions floating on the perimeter and in pick-and-roll actions that didn’t create opportunities for her. Tibbetts deserves credit for his game plan, but this exact issue has plagued the Liberty for countless stretches since the All-Star arrived in Brooklyn back in 2023.
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While the Liberty turned in too many meaningless possessions, the Mercury turned the Barclays Center hardwood into a track meet.
On one possession, Bonner cruised in for an easy layup. Then 20 seconds later, Thomas brought the ball up the court, paced down the middle of the paint untouched and converted on the easiest basket of the night.
The defense was so egregious Brondello was forced to call timeout. The deficit grew to as many as 19 points in that period. It ballooned to 31 during a meaningless second half.
And the only downside for Tibbetts’ squad was Sabally’s technical foul for shouting at an official.
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The third quarter featured the same issues as the Liberty lost, 18-10, in the period.
Wednesday’s matchup was over before the fourth quarter began.
The only decision left to make was to pull Stewart off the floor so she could begin resting for a do-or-die Game 3.
Rightfully so, Brondello began the fourth with Cloud and four reserves.
The series is now knotted at 1-1. The loser will pack their bags and prepare for a long winter.
