(Photo credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images)

The New York Liberty could not come close to producing enough offense in a critical third-quarter stretch on Wednesday because the Phoenix Mercury turned up the defensive intensity in an 86-60 Game 2 road victory.

The result is a deciding Game 3 on Friday night when Phoenix hosts New York to conclude their first-round series.

The top-seeded Minnesota Lynx are waiting in the wings to face the New York-Phoenix winner after they swept the Golden State Valkyries.

Phoenix is attempting to advance to the second round for the first time since 2021 when it made a run to the WNBA finals as the fifth seed. New York just wants to avoid an abrupt end to its title defense.

Phoenix kept the series going by dominating most of Game 2. After an even opening quarter, the Mercury outscored the Liberty 61-35 over the final three, holding a 31-point edge with six minutes left in the game.

'The defense has been our calling card all year, and the hope is when you get into the playoffs, you level up. I think we've done that,' Phoenix coach Nate Tibbetts said. 'I just love our competitive spirit.'

The Mercury won with a balanced offense as five players reached double figures. Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas each scored 15 while Kahleah Copper and DeWanna Bonner added 14 apiece and Kathryn Westbeld netted 10. That group combined to shoot 54.2 percent (26 of 48) from the field as Phoenix made 47.9 percent (34 of 71) after shooting 32.5 percent in Sunday's 76-69 overtime home loss.

The Liberty struggled with consistent health during the regular season, and Breanna Stewart's health questions persisted Wednesday.

Stewart sprained the MCL in her left knee in the opener and was able to play in Game 2. But she was held to six points on 2-of-6 shooting and only grabbed two rebounds in 20 minutes. It was her fewest points in 45 career postseason games.

Stewart's quiet showing was part of a night when the Liberty missed their first 12 shots of the third quarter, allowing the Mercury to seize control. New York was 2-for-15 shooting in the third (30.2 percent overall) and allowed 25 points off 15 turnovers.

Sabrina Ionescu was among those unable to help New York overcome Stewart's quiet showing. The star guard shot 3-of-13 and was held to nine points.

'The vibe is the season isn't over,' New York's Jonquel Jones said. 'The vibe is that we got Game 1 and now we have the opportunity to be able to go and play another game and to win another game. We've been in this situation before, we have the experience, and we know what it's going to take.'

--Field Level Media