The night started well. Despite early concerns that the Liberty wouldn’t have Breanna Stewart available for Game 2 against the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday at Barclays Center, they did.

The star forward played on a sprained MCL in her left knee, trying to help close out the first-round, best-of-three series and punch the Liberty’s ticket to the semifinals.

Yet, it wasn’t enough.

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The two-time MVP’s 20 minutes and defensive presence only went so far. The Liberty were done in by sloppy play in an 86-60 loss, tying the series and disappointing their home crowd in their lone guaranteed home playoff game of 2025.

The Liberty are forced into a Game 3 on Friday in Phoenix, where their season and title defense will be on the line.

“We’re a way better team than what we showed today, so it was disappointing,” coach Sandy Brondello said after the game. “It was disappointing to play like that in front of our home fans, but we’re still alive. So we’re going to go out there and win a game in Phoenix.”

By the fourth quarter, the Liberty were surrendering, subbing in their not-yet-used reserves. After scoring just 10 points in the third quarter and the Mercury leading by a whopping 22, their hand was forced.

In some cases, the Liberty couldn’t get a bounce on the rim. In others, shots were simply awry. They went 5-for-31 from the field and 2-for-14 from beyond the arc combined across the second and third quarters. Additionally, their 15 turnovers handed 25 points to Phoenix.

It was quite the sight to wash over Brooklyn as fans watched what may be the final image of this Liberty team and era before the offseason madness ensues — with two expansion teams and a new CBA on the horizon.

“We know the importance and significance of our fans and what we’ve built here,” said Sabrina Ionescu, who had just nine points. “I think we know we gotta play better next game, because this shouldn’t be the end and how we leave them. … They deserve to have more games played here, and we do as well.”

Stewart scored just six points, but she wasn’t the only one who struggled. Emma Meesseman led the Liberty with a modest 11 points. Ionescu went 3-for-13, including a dismal 1-for-8 from deep.

Phoenix dominated the paint, scoring 38 to the Liberty’s 22, and the Mercury held the edge with fast break points (20) against the mere two from New York. They shared the wealth offensively with Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally leading the team with 15 points, followed by Kahleah Copper and DeWanna Bonner each with 14.

A first quarter shootout ended in a 25-25 tie. The second quarter, however, saw the Liberty grow increasingly rattled.

Just over halfway through the frame, the Mercury went on a 7-0 run to take the biggest lead of the game at that point, 41-30, due to messy handles, awry shots and missed routine chances by the Liberty. They went scoreless for over five minutes, leaving the energy in the building to turn sour.

Meesseman said the message in the locker room was “very short,” knowing they need to turn a new page after what she called an “inexcusable” performance.

Jonquel Jones ensured that the energy around the team is still high despite what was likely the Liberty’s worst game of the season.

“The vibe is that the season isn’t over,” she 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 the situation before. We have the experience, and we… know what it’s going to take.”