Ten minutes. That was all that remained to decide a season. The Phoenix Mercury clung to a 60-59 lead over the New York Liberty as the fourth quarter began in a do-or-die Game 3 — every possession carrying enormous weight, each huddle brimming with urgency, every glance between teammates reflecting what was at stake.
Both teams traded runs throughout the final frame, but the decisive moment came with about 40 seconds left. That’s when Mercury guard Kahleah Copper drove hard to the basket, absorbed contact and finished a tough layup to push Phoenix ahead by five. The bucket put the game out of reach, ultimately sealing a 79-73 victory and sending the Mercury to the next round while ending the Liberty’s season.
Scores are only part of the story
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