Liberty Beats Tempo 97-82 For Third Straight Win

The Liberty (6-4) have won three in a row with Breanna Stewart scoring 19 points 17 of them in the second half. New York was missing guard Sabrina Ionescu who is sidelined with a back problem. Coach Chris DeMarco said at morning shootaround that his All-Star guard was improving. She has played in just one game this season.

The game was a homecoming for former Liberty coach Sandy Brondella who guided the franchise to its first WNBA championship in 2024. Last season the Liberty turned her out. The franchise’s all-time winningest coach received a nice ovation from the crowd when introduced prior to the game.

And now she is leading the expansion of Tempo and has them off to a great start. The loss dropped the Tempo 5-5 to .500 and snapped a two-game winning streak.

New York trailed 22-17 early in the second quarter before going on a 15-2 run highlighted by two 3-pointers from Satou Sabally. The first was in transition over her sister Nyara, who was taken from the Liberty by the Tempo in the expansion draft this off-season.

Jones had 17 points and 12 rebounds in the first 20 minutes and the Liberty led 40-34 at the half.

Stewart scored nine points after having just two in the first half as they put the game away in the third quarter. New York built the advantage to 70-58 and was never challenged.

MERCURY 72 STORM 68

Natasha Mack had a career-high 16 points and 10 rebounds Kahleah Copper also scored 16 points and Phoenix beat Seattle to snap a seven-game losing streak.

Natisha Hiedeman scored 15 points and Awa Fam added 18 for the Storm (3-8) who lost their fourth straight.

Copper gave Mercury a 61-59 lead with 5:37 remaining and they never trailed again.

DeWanna Bonner scored a jumper fast-break layup and free throw to give Phoenix a 68-61 lead with 2:39 remaining.

Seattle got within one possession twice in the final 20 seconds but Copper hit all four of his free throws to seal it.

Monique Akoa Makani added 12 points and Bonner scored five of her 10 points in the final four minutes for Phoenix (3-8) which earned its first win since beating Chicago on May 15.