The New York Liberty vs the Phoenix Mercury was one of the intense matchups in the 2025 first-round series. It lived up to the expectation with a nail-biting finish and a single shot deciding the winner. Alyssa Thomas had that game-winner within her grasp, but missed it and eventually lost the game.
The player had been in excellent form throughout the 2025 regular season. WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes declared Thomas the MVP of the season. But when it mattered the most, the player missed the opportunity.
Alyssa Thomas Reacts To Missing Game-Winner Against New York Liberty
The playoffs are on their first day, providing some exciting matchups and excellent gameplay. Sadly, it was not for the fourth-seeded Phoenix Mercury. The team’s triple-double leader, AT, had possession in hand and an opportunity to finish the game with a simple layup. But she missed the shot with two seconds left in regulation time.
The game was tied at 65 each, and the former Sun player used a spin move to get past her defender with only one basket to score for a win. Sadly, the ball came out, and the visitors got a chance to seal the game in overtime. But the forward looked unfazed by the final shot.
“Yeah, I mean, the playoffs aren’t won in one game. Just an unfortunate roll. I made that shot thousands of times. For me, it’s no big deal. Of course, it would’ve been nice if it went down, but there’s still a lot of basketball to play,” Thomas said in the post-game interview.
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas on her missed layup with two seconds left in regulation and how she’ll be able to move on. #WNBA https://t.co/B5gSLvkHxe pic.twitter.com/KljYG9q0fp
— Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo) September 15, 2025
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Alyssa Thomas grabbed a near triple-double in the game, while DeWanna Bonner added 12 points. Natasha Cloud scored a game-high 23 points for the winning team and played a huge role in the overtime win. Breanna Stewart delivered on both ends of the floor with 18 points and six rebounds.
Alyssa Thomas’ Missed Opportunity Hands New York Liberty A Huge Advantage In First Round Series
The first game of the first round is always key to the success of the series. Teams playing in a three-game series tend to gain an advantage with a win in the first game, but now the defending champions are in control with the next game at their home. The Phoenix Mercury HC Nate Tibbetts compared Thomas to Damian Lillard for her impact on the games, but the player flubbed a golden opportunity in the first game.
The Barclays Center recorded the third-highest attendance as the WNBA broke its attendance record in 2025. Playing in the packed arena with supporters backing the Liberty side will be a tougher challenge for the Mercury team. AT’s missed shot cost the Mercury a chance to take control of the series.
Moreover, the NY team has a strong 17-5 record in the season and will be confident of clinching the series at home. The team will face each other on September 17.