Mercury aim to beat Liberty, gain split of 2-game set

The New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury will meet for the second time in three days when they face off Friday night in New York.

For the Mercury (2-6), the goal is snapping a losing streak that is now at four games after an 84-74 loss to the Liberty (4-4) on Wednesday.

Team unity is key for the Mercury in getting back on track, according to Natasha Mack, who tied her career-high of 14 points in the team's latest loss and is optimistic despite the tough stretch.

"We just have to stick together and continue building on what we're doing now," Mack told reporters afterward. "It's getting better. We see it. But we just have to give a little bit more."

The Liberty are coming off a much-needed win to avoid their first 3-5 start since 2022. A franchise-record 23-0 run in the third quarter was key in ending a three-game losing streak.

New York knows it will be tough to duplicate that success a second time against Phoenix.

"They're going to come out with a little bit more intensity. They're going to be a little more focused," New York's Jonquel Jones said after the win. "So, we have to also take it to another level, but it does feel good to be in the win column. And to play the right way, like win the right way. Not just going out there and things kind of luckily happening in the right way for us."

Jones finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds for her second consecutive double-double.

Marine Johannes led the Liberty with 21 points and five assists, hitting a career-best seven 3-pointers and reaching the 1,000-point mark for her career. She's averaging 12.6 points per game.

Her effort was big, especially with Sabrina Ionescu out with back soreness. Ionescu has played in only one game this year.

Kahleah Copper poured in 19 points to lead the Mercury and is now 10th all-time in scoring in Phoenix history with 1,370 points. Cooper is averaging 18.8 points per contest.

--Field Level Media