The New York Liberty defeated the Phoenix Mercury 84-74 on Wednesday night at the Barclays Center. Marine Johannes scored 21 points to lead the New York Liberty in snapping a three-game losing streak.

Marine Johannes and the 7-Three-Pointer Surge

Marine Johannes delivered a dominant offensive performance for the New York Liberty, recording a personal best of seven three-pointers in a single game. According to the report, Johannes was agressive from the start, sinking four of those triples in the first quarter alone to keep the New York Liberty competitive early on. By halftime, Johannes had already accumulated 15 points, providing the scoring stability the team had lacked in previous outings.

While Johannes provided the perimeter threat, veteran forward Jonquel Jones added 17 points to the effort. The synergy between the perimeter shooting of Marine Johannes and the interior presence of Jonquel Jones allowed the New York Liberty to maintain pressure on the Phoenix Mercury throughout the contest.

Chris DeMarco's Laney-Hamilton Substitution and the 23-0 Run

The game shifted decisively in the third quarter due to a tactical adjustment by New York Liberty head coach Chris DeMarco. With the New York Liberty trailing 55-49 and roughly six minutes remaining in the period, DeMarco inserted Betnijah Laney-Hamilton into the lineup. This move sparked an immediate and explosive 23-0 scoring run that completely dismantled the Phoenix Mercury's momentum.

As reported in the source, this scoring burst was as much about defense as it was about offense. The Phoenix Mercury committed eight turnovers during this drought, including three offensive fouls, which the New York Liberty leveraged to turn a six-point deficit into a 23-point lead. By the start of the fourth quarter, the New York Liberty held a commanding 72-55 advantage that the Phoenix Mercury were unable to overcome.

The Liberty's Longest Losing Streak Since 2022

This victory is significant because it halts a three-game slide for the New York Liberty, marking the longest losing streak the franchise has endured since the 2022 season. The struggle, which began in late April, suggested a period of instability for a team with high expectations. breaking this streak just before a rematch provides a critical psychological lift for the New York Liberty roster.

The win also highlights the volatility of the early WNBA season, where a single tactical shift or a hot shooting night from a player like Marine Johannes can erase weeks of frustration. For the New York Liberty, the ability to recover from a deficit with a 23-0 run suggests a level of resilience that was missing during their recent losses.

Satou Sabally's Illness and the Mercury's 2-6 Slide

Despite the win, several variables remain uncertain heading into Friday's rematch. Satou Sabally, who recently transferred from the Phoenix Mercury to the New York Liberty, was scratched from Wednesday's game due to illness. It remains unclear if Sabally will be healthy enough to contribute in the next matchup, which could alter the New York Liberty's rotation.

Conversely, the Phoenix Mercury continue to spiral, falling to a 2-6 record after their fourth consecutive defeat. While the Mercury saw the return of Monique Akoa Makani, who scored a corner three in her first appearance of the season, the team struggled to find any offensive rhythm for nearly seven minutes in the third quarter. Whether the Phoenix Mercury can solve the defensive pressure applied by the New York Liberty remains the primary question for their coaching staff.