Brooklyn, NY—-In a crucial turning point of the game, Jonquel Jones stepped up to lead her team to victory.
Jones showcased her prowess by scoring 10 pivotal points out of her total of 20 in the fourth quarter, propelling the New York Liberty to an 81-78 triumph over the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday evening.
Initially stationed outside the paint for much of the early quarters, the Liberty’s standout center shifted her focus to the interior game in the fourth quarter. Reflecting on this strategic shift, Jones remarked, “We had a different level of intentionality with me getting it down there. Giving me time to post up and really seal, but ultimately it was a mindset shift from me and my teammates.”
Trailing 74-71 in the late stages of the fourth quarter, New York orchestrated a crucial 9-0 surge, spearheaded by Jones, to seize control of the game.
Jones kickstarted the momentum with a layup at the 2:12 mark, followed by sinking two critical free throws with just over a minute remaining, pushing the Libs to a 76-74 advantage. Capitalizing on a defensive stop, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton extended the lead with a challenging foul line jumper with 30 seconds left on the clock, securing a four-point cushion for the Liberty.
Despite their efforts, the Phoenix Mercury failed to mount a comeback.
Sabrina Ionescu led the charge for New York with an impressive stat line of 22 points, nine assists, and six rebounds.
For the Mercury, Natasha Cloud contributed 21 points, while Kahleah Copper added 20.
Copper expressed pride in her team’s resilience, stating, “We know we’re never out of games, we don’t want to get ourselves in a hole… I’m proud of how we fought back and wish the outcome was different.”
Trailing by one point, 60-59, after the third quarter, Phoenix briefly surged ahead with consecutive 3-pointers from Diana Taurasi early in the fourth, establishing a five-point lead. However, New York promptly responded with a nine-point rally, with Jones contributing five points, reclaiming a 69-65 advantage.
The Mercury countered with a 9-2 run of their own, fueled by Copper’s five points, to reclaim the lead at 74-71 with 2:42 left on the clock.
New York surged to an early 19-6 lead behind proficient 3-point shooting, connecting on five of their first seven attempts from downtown, ultimately leading 33-20 after the first quarter. Phoenix, seeking redemption from a dismal shooting performance the previous night, gradually narrowed the deficit to 47-44 by halftime, spurred by Cloud’s sharpshooting exhibition.
Brittney Griner, sidelined at the start of the season due to a broken toe on her left foot, showed signs of progress as she engaged in pre-game activities on the court. Coach Nate Tibbetts noted Griner’s mental boost from transitioning out of her boot, expressing optimism about her impending return.
Looking ahead, the Phoenix Mercury conclude their three-game road trip with a matchup against Minnesota on Friday night, while the New York Liberty host Washington in the middle game of a three-game homestand.