The New York Liberty defeated the Phoenix Mercury in Game 1 of the first round of the WNBA playoffs on Sept. 14. The top performers of this game were the Liberty’s Natasha Cloud, who scored 23 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals on 75% efficiency, and the Liberty’s Breanna Stewart, scoring 18 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals. 

During a combative first quarter, the  Liberty came on strong, effectively halting the Mercury from getting any momentum by slowing down their big three: Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper and Satou Sabally. Liberty center Jonquel Jones used her size defensively to hold Thomas to score zero points. 

Stewart used her ability to draw fouls to get sharpshooter Copper in foul trouble early into the game. Mercury attempted seven 3-point shots, despite the Liberty having three great perimeter defenders in Cloud, Leonie Fiebich and Emma Meesseman, and only made one of these attempted shots. 

To make up for offense, Thomas played great defense, keeping the Liberty at a 4-point lead to end the quarter 17-13. 

The second quarter was what made Cloud’s game. She came in with vengeance due to getting traded by Phoenix this past offseason. Cloud played tenaciously, scoring 8 points on 100% efficiency, a lead-taking three from 26 feet and a drive lead-taking layup.

 Copper had a good quarter, scoring a game-tying shot despite being triple-teamed. 

The game remained very competitive, with the score being 44-43 at halftime. 

Mercury had a strong defensive third quarter, forcing seven turnovers from the Liberty. Offense remained an issue for the team, scoring at a 23.1% efficiency as a team. The Liberty had 11 rebounds, doing everything in their power to make sure they kept possession of the ball. 

By the end of the quarter, Mercury got some footing, going on a thrilling 11-2 run to end the quarter. 

The fourth quarter was extremely intense, with aggressive defense coming from both teams. Liberty suffered from turnovers again and missed three threes in a row, in what could have been opportunities to win the game. Sabrina Ionescu turned over the ball, which led to a beautiful no-look pass from Thomas to Copper, bringing the Mercury to a 2-point lead. 

Stewart then tied up the game with a layup, resulting in the game going into overtime. 

The Liberty took complete control of the game during overtime, with an electric three from Cloud and a layup from Stewart, causing her to injure her left knee. After attempting to play for another minute, Stewart decided to not return to the game. 

The Liberty won the game 76-69. The next game in this best-of-three series was at Barclays Center on Sept. 17.