In a display of sharpshooting that left the New York Liberty reeling, the Phoenix Mercury set the WNBA ablaze with a record-breaking performance from behind the arc. During Friday night's game, the Mercury sank a whopping 18 3-pointers, taking their two-game total to an unprecedented 35, as they cruised to a 106-91 victory over their East Coast rivals. The feat shattered the previous WNBA record, establishing a new high-water mark for teams to chase.
Leading the charge for Phoenix was Satou Sabally, who drained 7 of her 10 attempts from distance, tallying 25 points in an offensive showcase that had fans on their feet. Alyssa Thomas also made headlines, not just for the 17 points she contributed, but for matching the Phoenix assist record with 15 dimes, a stone's throw away from what would have been her 12th regular-season triple-double, per reports from ABC 15. The Mercury as a team were in sync, handing out 30 assists on 41 made baskets, a testament to their playmaking prowess.
It wasn't just Sabally shouldering the load for Phoenix. Other contributors to their three-point deluge included Sami Whitcomb, who went 5 of 7 for her 15 points, and Kitija Laksa with 13 points, according to an article from ABC News. Meanwhile, Kahleah Copper added a neat 12-point tally to the mix, helping to secure Phoenix’s sixth consecutive win and bolstering their impressive season record to 12-6.
On the Liberty's side, Breanna Stewart brought her best game with 17 points, followed by Nyara Sabally, who marked her first start against her sister with a career-high 16 points. Natasha Cloud also chipped in with 15. Despite these efforts, the Liberty fell short, dropping to 11-4 after having lost four of their last five outings, including an 89-81 defeat to the Mercury just over a week ago.
With both teams shooting north of 50% from the field, it was the fireworks from Phoenix that truly made the difference in the game's complexion. Even as Stewart tried to narrow the gap with 10 third-quarter points, the Mercury's relentless barrage from beyond the arc kept them comfortably ahead. Entering the fourth quarter up by 16, the Mercury never looked back, ensuring that the Liberty's bid to close the gap was nothing more than a fleeting hope.
