Phoenix Mercury vs New York Liberty: First Round WNBA Playoff Preview

Phoenix Mercury vs New York Liberty: First Round WNBA Playoff Preview

[Music] Hello. I’m not sure if you guys can hear me, but welcome back to the PHX Mercury podcast. I am your host, Eric Lee Day, joined by my usual producer, pushes the X to the O’s, drag the bus, sinks the ship, whatever you want to say. Uh, Kev Post, Kevin Thomas. How the heck are you doing on this fine Friday midm morning? Good. Hopefully not actually sinking the ship today. hopefully just, you know, along for the ride as as the Phoenix Mercury enter the playoffs. I’m excited for playoff hoop because the last three games of the season did not look like playoff basketball. So, I’m excited to see the highle actual intensity return to the Mercury Court. Um, I was in attendance for the last home game. You were as well. We were going to talk about that a little bit later, but yeah, excited to be here. Shout out to everybody in the chat. Love you all. As as Stephen Vice said, big love and kindness to everybody. Yeah, huge shout outs to all of you guys in the comments. If you’re tapped in with us today, I appreciate you being here. Uh, and if you’re watching later today on YouTube, I appreciate you uh in the comments as well. Be sure to leave a like, five star review wherever you get your podcast. Uh, subscribe to PH Next Sports uh where you can get all your uh Wildcat content over the weekend because Warden Street there’s a Wildcat vers Wildcat game this evening. And to be honest, I still haven’t decided if I’m going to go. Like it is the Gunnar Maldonado game though, so how I could miss it, not really sure. I I don’t know. We’ll see what happens. But yeah, to Cavo’s point, the squad has been on a three-game losing streak. It’s actually why I’m wearing black. I was told that I am required by law that to dress as though I am attending a funeral today. And I didn’t wear a black veil cuz that seemed a little extra. Because listen, to say I have been disappointed over these last three games of of Mercury basketball is like blatantly an understatement to be honest with you. Like uh I like to see this team win and this team is capable of winning these last three games. First of which was versus the Sun, Cabo’s game uh that home game versus the Sparks and then this most previous game versus the Wings. Fun fact, if you watch the DLS wing show, I literally said yesterday like if there’s any time you’re gonna be get your 10th win, it’s tonight because Alyssa Thomas is gonna play 17 minutes or so. And if you can keep the game manageable during that time, then boom, you got you got an opportunity to play Kehlani Brown and Kiana Williams and Kit Locka, all of which are great players, but definitely not the starting uh five that the Phoenix Mercury has been rocking with all season. So, I like I I I get your guys’ sentiment. I saw like in the die hard chat last night like a lot of people were talking about their disappointment in in these last three games and I I feel 100% the same way like blatantly I am very disappointed in the last three games but at the same time this is a the most number of games in the season the WNBA’s ever had. Uh the the injuries and the way that the adversity kind of played out for the Mercury this year like the big five the big three didn’t get to to play a lot together in the beginning of the season. they got that time together toward the end of the season. I don’t necessarily blame Nate Tibbitz for wanting to rest those players considering this team has high hopes of a deep playoff even a finals run. So I their expectations of themselves are so high that it’s you can’t be so frustrated that the rest came when it did because I they have to I mean they’re going to play a lot of games over the next couple of weeks there’s you know if they make it through New York in this first game series which we’re obviously going to talk about here in a few minutes like then they have to move to this five game five game series and then if they make it to the finals that’s a seven game series like we’re talking about a lot of basketball games still to be played and Alyssa Thomas has averaged the most minutes for the Mercury. So, I I needed her to sit. Uh the Satu Sabi and Kalia Copper and Dana Bonner of it all definitely understand your guys’ frustration when that comes in, but at the same time, like same thing. Those players have been dealing with injuries the entire season. So, if getting them a few minutes of rest is what’s going to get them prepared for the playoffs, then so be it, right? And and it’s kind of what I said leading off the show, like I’m not mad about the rest. I’m more I’m not even mad, but I’m more like annoyed from a fans perspective about like the level of intensity in regards to these games. I feel like uh when you talk about like championship pedigree and you talk about like uh what it takes to win a championship and not only WNBA, but just any league in general towards the like you’re towards the end of the season, you’re supposed to be rounding into your best shape. You’re supposed to be rounding into playoff form, right? And I think like when you’re talking about the Mercury dropping their last three, it feels like it’s not the end of the world at all. Uh, but to me, I’m just like, you want to be building better habits than that heading into the playoffs, I think. And I think like the level of intensity that we saw the last three games isn’t really it. But I’m not really worried that they’re not going to be able to pick that up once the playoffs start. Uh, but like you said, Erica, I’m not worried about the rest. They need the the fresh legs in the playoffs because it’s going to be a long uh arduous journey if they’re going to make it to the finals this year. Yeah. And so, let’s just go ahead and get into this finals or playoff uh matchup. Round one versus the New York Liberty. The Phoenix Mercury are three and one versus the Liberty this year. And uh they have the numbers when you look at the Mercury versus the Liberty are a little different, but we’re just going to look at the season uh averages for both teams. And so when you look at it, uh the Mercury averages 82.8 points per game, the Liberty 84.9. Uh the field goal percentages are just a little different. The Liberty with 45.3 and the Mercury with 43.3. three-point attempts. The Mercury get over uh just under one more attempt up a game and shoot one percentage lower. Uh and then the assist per game, that’s where uh the New York Liberty with 21.8 and the Mercury with 20.9. And that actually in particular is the stat where the biggest difference is because the Mercury average like 24.1 assists per game versus the Liberty. Uh, and then the free throws attempted, the Liberty edges them out by just under one free throw game. So, uh, yeah, those are kind of the, you know, team byteam numbers. Um, to be honest, like I was listening to, uh, Sue Bird’s podcast this morning. Shout out David Deansra for letting me know that that was occurring and that they had previewed the Liberty and Mercury matchups. And you know, Sue made a great point like this Mercury team likes to play flat play fast. And versus the Liberty, they have forced uh an average of 17 turnovers per game. And the Liberty is a team that takes care of the ball. So if the Liberty wants to pull this out versus the Mercury, they have to take care of the ball. And if the Mercury wanted to take care, if they want to take care of business versus the Liberty, they’re going to have to force turnovers. So kind of same side of the or different sides of the same coin. um to be honest and you know it’s going to be a by committee situation for both teams. You know, we’ve talked about the Mercury’s point guard by committee and same thing with New York. If they want to be successful in this game, like it’s not going to be a one person goes off for 35 to 40 points. Like it’s going if the if the Mercury wants to beat the Liberty, they need to just let Sabrina go off and cover everyone else or let JJ go off and cover everyone else or let Emma Misiman do what she wants to do and cover everyone else. And I think the matchup conversation is a very interesting one. Uh I think to start the game you’re going to see M on JJ but then as the game goes on like at might get thrown in and obviously Dana Bonner like they’ve all played a lot of you know different positions from three to four outside of MAC obviously. So it’ll be interesting to see how they initially decide to guard that matchup considering like Phoenix is a little bit smaller I guess than uh New York Liberty. But I’m excited. I think this is going to be a great matchup. the Mercury with a three in one lead, you know, in the regular season. Like, you have to feel some optimism. Obviously, I talked so much last season about playoff Natasha Cloud that some fear has to be incited in my body about it. Not going to lie. Uh that’s like an all-time favorite player, like specifically playoff Natasha Cloud. Like, it’s just a different brand of basketball. So, to be honest, I’m excited to see it in the Valley. Like I I hate that last year they didn’t get a home game in the playoffs because now my first time seeing the Tsh Cloud playoff basketball IRL is going to be versus the Phoenix Mercury. Doesn’t really feel very great. Uh but you have to take what you can get in this house. Yeah. No, and I agree with what you had to say there in regards to Natasha Cloud. I’m I almost texted you earlier, but I felt like it would have been in in poor taste. Uh I almost texted you saying like TSH Cloud Revenge series. Is that what could happen here? Um, I don’t think that could be the I think it could be the case, but I don’t think that will be the case. I want to throw these numbers back up one more time, Erica, because when I was making this graphic for today’s show, like it kind of surprised me just how similar these two teams are statistically. Like, most of these categories are separated by less than 1% or less than one point uh, you know, per game, right? And I think that when you’re talking about these two teams, I I like the Mercury’s chances in this matchup. one because of the regular season success that they had, but two, I feel like when two teams are so similar statistically, uh if one team is able to strategically have an advantage consistently, I feel like it’s hard for the the opposing team to really make up that ground because it’s not like they have um you know, it’s not like they they’ve held an advantage over you so far this season that they can rely on. Like the Atlanta Dream, for example, right? The Atlanta Dream might not uh have all the statistical advantages over the Mercury, but they definitely have the regular season advantages over the Mercury, right? So, I I I I like this matchup for the Mercury, Erica. And also, I wanted to call attention to a little bit of a tangential thing. Is Nate Tibbitz got military time on that watch? Is that Is that what that is right there? Is that like a 1910 for 7:10 p.m.? Is that what that is? I don’t know. I just noticed that and I was like, does anyone in the chat know if if if girl dad likes uh military time versus traditional time, man? Uh that’s actually a good question. I’ll have to ask him next time he’s on the show to be honest. You know, which you know, Mercury PR if you’re watching, girl dad. Hey, he’s got a home on the show. Maybe regular season he just goes traditional time season. He goes war time, military time on the watch. I I I like that out of Nate Tippets. made all that up just now. But I like it. I I like, you know, I like that a lot. I like the idea of Nate Tibbitz just locking in for the playoffs. But I want I wanted to ask you a question because Kobe says this in the chat, right? He says, “I do like Sabrina with a little bit of a kind of a face, right? How do you think that like the new mix of the New York Liberties backcourt with Natasha Cloud and Sabrina Inescu and then you also have you know JJ like you mentioned how do you think because it is difficult to beat a team multiple times in a row uh and like you alluded to the Mercury are three and one versus Liberty this year. Do you think that the elite roster that the Liberty have uh what what do you what chances do you give them to bounce back and actually make the adjustments required to defeat the Mercury in a series like this? like what are the odds of that in your opinion and what would it take for them to make those adjustments? Um, you know, the the New York Liberty have dealt with the same levels of adversity and injuries that the Mercury have, if not even more so, uh, via Sabrina, Stewie, uh, obviously the addition of Emma Misman threw a wrench in your plans. JJ missed two of the four games uh, that the Mercury played against them. Um, and then, you know, I could go down with Nara. They missed out on uh, Kennedy Burke. Maybe I’m No, I’m wrong. Kayla. Nope. Still wrong. Kayla Thornton is not grieved. But yes, Vana Lany Hamilton. God, there it is. Uh yeah, she was out for the season. So, they’ve dealt with their fair share of adversity this season in regards to injury and that really stinks. Uh but nonetheless, uh I think that they will bounce back in a way. I think I don’t think that this is going to be a Mercury and two situation. I am a believer that this is a Mercury and three situation. They’ll have to bring it back home to Phoenix. Uh I think that it would be ill advised of me to think that the reigning defending uh WNBA champions are going to come unprepared to this matchup. And to my exact point, like they are 3-1 versus the Liberty this season. If you think the Liberty aren’t well aware of that that little tiebreaker record, you’re wrong. And you know, as soon as the matchup was set in stone, you know, you got Natasha Cloud tweeting out the the smiling devil emoji like scary. Okay, let’s everybody calm down. Let’s relax a little bit. It doesn’t have to be so mean, you know? We can just It’s just the playoffs, guys. It’s just what you play the whole year for, you know? Let’s Let’s calm it down. Why Why the devil emojis? We can kindly and nicely beat each other up, you know? like the free throw attempts are going to be so low because the teams are going to be nice to each other. I don’t know if I necessarily agree, but I mean I hope I hope that that would probably benefit the Mercury in a way. They’re used to not getting all the free throw attempts per game that they deserve, so they probably would benefit in a low free throw average game. Um yeah. No. Uh, I think that the Mercury are going to not I think they’re just going to continue to put themselves back in their true identity, which is the defense. Unfortunately, the last three games, like we haven’t seen the best examples put in front of us. And so, like the recency bias is killing all of us right now, to be honest. I feel like uh because what we’ve seen from the Mercury has not been great defense even through the last like five games, not just the last three, but even the last couple that they won. And so, you know, on one hand, I understand the the confidence that they might be feeling due to the the rested leg that they have. And compared to everybody else, I don’t think that anybody has gotten an opportunity to rest as much as the Mercury. I could be wrong about that, but to me, it seems like the Mercury have gotten ample amounts of time to rest their star players. So, uh, you know, I saw Joel in the Die Hard chat last night talking about like if they don’t come out extremely ready on Sunday, like that is when my frustration will start to boil over. Uh, and he’s right. You know, if on Sunday at 2 p.m. when they start this game versus the Liberty, if they have a slow first quarter, that is going to be a very bad uphill battle that they have to climb back up. Sy’s a good coach. She knows how to make adjustments at halftime. Uh, and they’ve got winners on their team. Emma, Stewie, Sabrina, like they’re you can fall behind, too. Yeah. You have to get out and get a quick start and play the brand of basketball that you want to play, especially on your home court. You worked so hard to be in this position. They absolutely cannot throw this first game away versus Liberty because if they take this to Barclays for game two down 0 and one, they will lose in two games. Like that is the reality of this matchup. And like and that’s the crappy part of a three-game series is that there is no like second chance there. Well, there is I guess a second chance, but if that second chance doesn’t go well, like your third chance is not going to happen. And so you better, you know, be on your mind, your P’s and Q’s in that first matchup uh here in Phoenix on Sunday. Well, we’re talking about what the Mercury need to do to get it done, Erica. And I have a message from SPG, our our PG-1 QB1. He couldn’t be with us here today. He he is I believe back home in Chicago just enjoying some time to himself and his friends and family. But look, I have a message from the man himself. He says uh in terms of predictions, he goes and I quote and I quote, “Mercury in a closely played two games, the Mercury’s efforts on margins and togetherness is going to be tested and but it’s going to shine through starting with defensive activity.” So, I think Stephen is saying that the the defensive effort, the defensive intensity is going to skyrocket up now that the playoffs are here and it’s going to shine through against Liberty because of their togetherness, because of their efforts on the margins and the way that Nate Tibbitz has this team playing all season. And he also wanted us to mention that his players to watch on Sunday and I guess in game two because Steven’s not saying there’s ever going to be a game three in this series. Uh he says Satu Sabi on both ends. So, keep an eye on Satu Sabi on offense and defense, says our beloved SPG. And then he also gave us an Xfactor, Erica. I don’t know if you saw his message to us. If you if you didn’t, would you like to guess who he picked as the XFactor, of course, and I I didn’t see no message to us. So, I’m excited to hear what he thinks X Factor is. And I’m also so happy that he thinks that it’s going to be Mkin, too. It feels great. I would honestly I would be a lot more worried if Stephen was like I think they get it done, but if they do it’s going to be in three and it’s gonna be super close because then I’m terrified. You’re going up against the defending champion and then like in a close elimination game environment like I’m back in my Mercury always but that’s not the team you want to go up against in an elimination game with all the chips on the table. The team that just won the title the year before. There’s no better team in the league that knows how to do it with the chips down than the team that just won the title the year prior. So, uh, back to what I was saying. Would you like to guess who Steven picked for his X-factor against Liberty? I’m going to guess Monica Cole McConnie. Bang. Bang. Shout out to Mike Breen and shout out to SPG because that is his X factor for this uh first round against the Liberty Money Monique Akoa McConey. So yeah, that is that is the update from SPG. Well, I I love that because that’s exactly what Sue Bird said on her podcast this morning. So, I know ball. Steven knows ball. You know ball. Sue Bird knows ball. I’m glad we established all of these ball knowowers on this. Fine. Fine. And we know the chat knows ball cuz they helped you win trivia last time. Okay. All right. Let’s Let’s relax. I know that you’re mad about it. I know you’re feeling bitter, but it it doesn’t have to be this way, Kevin. It It doesn’t not at all. It’s all good. I was I was just I really was saying that as more of a shout out to the chat because they they’re such ball knowowers that they help us when we need them most. as long as you’re not mad at them. They just want to make sure their people are taken care of. And you know, I appreciate that. Like, it means a lot to me personally. And honestly, I’m glad that Stephen’s not here because that means I can’t lose in trivia today, to be honest. And I was thinking that same thing, losing in trivia before a playoff matchup. It got to be the worst feeling in the world. So, yeah, I’m happy we can maybe delay that until a further date in the future. Yeah, it’s uh I’m thankful for that, low-key. Uh it could have it could have ended poorly for us. So, I’m great. Uh, but, uh, Kevin and I are going to talk about my courtside experience and Kevin’s first Mercury of the game of the season after this quick break here on the PHX Mercury podcast. Kevo, everyone needs a freaking checkin account. Get the account with built-in benefits. Mountain America’s My Style Checking account has just the perks for you. You can enjoy restaurant deals, mobile phone protection, telealth access, identity protection, loan rate discounts, offers on travel and events, and so much more. Make my style your lifestyle at Mountain America Credit Union. Visit macu.com/myle to apply. Insured by ncua. Membership required based on eligibility. Some benefits required, no cost, registration, or activation. Terms, conditions, and exclusions do apply. You know who’s going to help me get to the playoffs on Sunday in a timely and ex, you know, extraordinary manner is my good pals over at Circle K. Oh my gosh, the inner circle rewards, the 25 cents off a gallon, the 3 cents off a gallon after your Phillips after that, then 5 cent fillup club, like the the fillup clubs, the 99 cent uh frosters, 79 cent polar pops, dollar cookies, three for I think it’s three for $5 on the Gatorades. Listen, I’m I’m going by memory here, dude. I was right. Three for $5 on the Gatorades. Bang. Oh my gosh. Inner Circle only deals, guys. These are deals you can only get at the the red sign with the K with Circle. You have to go there. I know you probably are headed to Arizona Stadium tonight. Why not stop by at the Circle K right across the street? Get a little pregame beverage of your choice. Do what you want. You can you can pick whatever you want there. It’s not my choosing. Uh, but joining Circle for free so you can get a bunch of extra rewards while you’re there for free by downloading the Circle K app today. Terms and conditions apply. I participating locations. Visit circlek.com for details. H see Andy is right. PVO could have used the chat and well that’s what I was saying on the trivia episode itself that like I think I said this that if you didn’t use the chat the thought that was going through my mind was just to copy their answer and I was going to do the the fanervice thing of saying like hey chat I needed you and now I’m going to take your answer it’s seventh or whatever the hell it was and I think uh yeah it’s just unfortunate that I answered second that time. If I answered first I win but I didn’t so it’s all good. Oh man, that’s that’s crazy. Um, yeah. So, what’s crazy about it is the fact that I did go to the Sparks game on What day was that, Kevin? Tuesday. Yes. And I told you uh in the last episode on Monday that I was going to have a special surprise guest. And honestly, I did a bad job in preparation of this episode. I should have sent Kevin a picture to show the the general pop. And unfortunately, I did not do that. But that’s okay because I can just tell you about the experience. Uh, you know, first of all, I sat courtside with uh previous Mercury and Yugo Bay women’s basketball playbyplay. Cindy Brunson, that’s my girl. Uh, we go way back, you know, we’ve been friends for a while now. And, uh, yeah, that’s just my homie. And she she surprised me with these tickets. We we both have been talking about going to Mercury game together for quite some time. and the fact that she was able to make it happen in this last game uh verse Cameron Brink, you know, the Pack 12 of it all was really I was feeling it in the building. I was like, you know, the Pack 12 may be dead. Like the real Pack 12, sorry Boise State, but like the Pack 12 lived on through Cindy, myself, you, Damon, and people who loved her, you know, and so yeah, it was nice. But I do got to talk about the the social club that the Mercury has, the Nexus social club. I’ve been to a few different club experiences, whether it’s like in the NFL or um the NBA even. And by far the best club experience I’ve ever had from just the arrival and like having first of all my Kalia Copper bobblehead, which I’m I feel like that’s what Kevin is going to get right now is his Kalia Copper bobblehead. Uh as well as my Rally towel. They were just all sorts of prepared. Yeah. Look at that bad boy, man. Hand painted gold medal. Hand painted gold medal. I wanted to talk about this to be honest as well cuz it’s like I That’s not Kalia Copper. It’s not. This This is a fire bobblehead though. I cannot lie. The details are crazy. I’m going see if I can show you. It says like just a kid from North Philly on the the bottom of the the hardwood there. You got her standing on the ball with the gold medal. I mean, this thing is this thing is incredible. This thing is awesome. Do Don’t you agree, K? Do you need any more endorsement? No, you don’t. That’s all you Wait, actually. Hey, that’s all you need. You know what I mean? It’s going to be a copper bobblehead. I’m getting I’m getting the floating shelves soon, okay? So, everyone can stop freaking out. My teeny mates are going to be up behind me in no time at all. So, uh, Kevin’s also got himself a little squad of the teammates going. So, you know, I got a full six rotation. Would argue a pretty good one, but you know, what do I know? You were talking about it, Erica. I don’t think anyone else even could create a roster that could possibly beat that. What What was it? Big Al at Ka Asia. Asia and uh Paige Becker and then Brink coming off the bench. Who’s beating that squad? I I I couldn’t name anybody if I tried. Yeah. But you were talking about your Nexus Club experience before we got distracted with the bobblehead. Yeah. It was just a fantastic experience and the Mercury really does a fantastic job with our courtside uh ticket holders. Like everyone that I was down there talking to like most of them are there are season ticket holders for where their seats was were. And you know I fun fact the people we were sitting right next to nine times out of 10 I can hear them from the media row yelling at the referees. And so when I got there I decided that I was going to tell them when I saw who I was sitting next to I was like oh this is great. Like this actually couldn’t be better for me personally. And um I told them that they would have some assistance. And you know Mercury if you’re listening to this just stop turn your ears off for a second. like act like you’re not going to hear this. When the Mercury just it became almost blatantly obvious that they were going to lose the game. Uh I just started to tell Nate Tibbitz to stop it like profusely. I said, “Nate, figure it out. Nate, please. Nate, I I’m sitting down here and you want I want I want to see Mac dance.” All I wanted was to see Mac dance in this game versus versus Sparks and Mo. And I don’t I’m robbed of those opportunities because of what? Because of a bench of rest. Yeah. And you know, the people around me were cackling because she I I literally said at one point, I don’t care about the playoffs. I care about Sparks. A totally rational, sober thought from Erica Day. Exactly. But that was obviously untrue and I’m I am glad that they rested, but I won’t be glad if they rested and they they lose game one versus the Liberty. Yeah, Liberty Liberty, which Kevin’s uh Turns out Kevin’s actually a Liberty fan. That’s why he’s got the Empire State Building or Statue of Liberty on his cup right now. Turns out that’s funny, you know. Um, I think it’s just because I don’t know. We’re going to drain the liberty of of their their season, I guess. So, I’m draining this Statue of Liberty cup of its water. Oh, Stephen in the comments. I have the list jersey. Uh, I have it. I just uh I’ve been had it actually. You missed it at the game on Tuesday. I wore it. It was on my body. So, yeah. Andy Andy Bryant in the comments says, “Model of sobriety.” Exactly. Exactly. That’s what I’m talking about. I’m glad that the subcri the the subscribers of this channel know exactly what it is and that I would never do anything crazy because I’m a model of sobriety. Um, shout out to all the die hards that we hung out with at at halftime of that game. Also, shout out to Amanda who was literally just like by happen stance sitting in the seat behind me in my seat. So, like it was just PHX Mercury squad takes over. It was an unofficial takeover is exactly what it was. It was an unofficial takeover and we just took over the whole arena. Unfortunately, they couldn’t bring a W home on Oh, we got to talk about this. I was most mad they didn’t bring a bo they didn’t bring a W home on Kalia Copper Bobblehead night, which was the same night as Alyssa Thomas getting another triple double, which was the same night as Dana Bonner getting honored for number three all time and getting her special commemorative ball. And I was like, how do you not win on this night? It was unbelievable. Yeah, it’s tough. You really hate to see it. It’s one of those games where you’re walking away like what the heck. Okay, let’s do a quick We’re gonna recap really quick. Uh I sent a message in the Die Hard chat yesterday, but since a lot of you guys weren’t in there, I will just say it real quick. A uh we’re going to do postgame shows for every single playoff game of the playoffs. Kevo has agreed to it. He said book it and so we said book it. Book it. Add one. Add one. Ball don’t lie. Uh and so count on that. And then option or number B, item B on this agenda is that some of you may see have seen a graphic floating around from Title N Sports Grill about a watch party. There will be information to come for that and I don’t want you to feel misled. I don’t have the information yet and as soon as I have it, I will make sure that the information gets relayed to you. Uh to Kevin’s point about the halftime dieards, like you guys are literally the best people in the entire world. Don’t think I’m leaving you out of it. I just don’t have it yet. So, as soon as I have it, I will share with the class. Uh, and that is my agreement and promise to all of my favorite people in this chat. Uh, item number C is that we are going to give quick game one predictions. Uh, I’m going to pick the Mercury to take it and that’s because if they don’t take it, I’m going to be an insufferable human being on the internet. Uh, I’m going to go to Steven’s point. It’s going to be a close one. 86 to 82. Wow, that’s crazy. Honestly, I’m like I’m not even joking. Stole the prediction out of my brain. So, I like that. I’m gonna go 86, but I’m gonna go 79 as the Liberty score. Mercury 86, Liberty 79. Very close all game, but maybe a couple fouls down the stretch, you know, seals it. And that’s just it. Um, also I wanted to say that on the on the topic of the Die Hards, it was my girlfriend’s first ever Mercury game. She had been to a game when we went to Atlanta. That was her first WNBA game. But now she has been to a Mercury game back home and I feel like seeing the dieards interact with everybody at halftime. Like I I think it really like hammered in like the WNBA community because I like she’s been to Suns games and and such, you know, like she’s seen the NBA stuff. Um it’s just the community in the W is just different than the NBA community and I think she like saw it in live time how how like important it and how much it means. So yeah, shout out to all the dieards. Shout out to my girlfriend. Shout out to shout out to WNBA fans, the community in general. So yeah, I’m excited for this game. Excited for the playoffs. Another thought, food for thought, Erica. They need to make like custom yearly playoff logos. I I don’t like this. Like it’s just the W logo. Oh, sorry. It’s just the W logo. It says WNBA playoffs presented by Google. And that’s it. That’s the entire they do a daily Google doodle for their homepage, but they can’t do a a yearly logo for the WNBA. So, I feel like like cuz it’s part of what made like the the MLB and the NBA so fun around like playoff time was you wanted to rep the the yearly logo of the playoffs like the I remember like the the World Series had like a fall logo one year with all the leaves and it was great. So, sorry. So, bring it back. Bring bring that to the WNBA. make bring back the old vibes of of when I used to really really love love love this game. You know what I mean? Evan wants a special logo, special court, special the whole nine yards. The court the court can be the same. Like I’m not asking for like the the WNBA championship like to be on the court or nothing. I just I think it’d be you have a whole year to plan it. Just do something. It don’t have to be huge. You know what I mean? Just do a little bit of a revamp once a year. Is that the craziest thing to ask? I don’t know if you forgot the league you’re talking to, Kevin. Almost any request is too much to ask. You know, that honestly is true. The only reason we have $2 hot dogs is Matt is Ishbia one tea lots of dollar signs. Not because of Kathy, you know. Just need to remind everybody here that one tea, lots of gizzies for $2 and a water, you know. It’s a great unless you’re in the Nexus Social Club, in which case the water and the hot dog is free. Wow. Great. Yeah, it’s a great not at all hard knock world that you live in when you’re in the Nexus social club. Um, but anyways, I wanted to say thank you to everybody who tapped in with us today. Appreciate you guys for being here. Uh, it it means more than anything I could say. And like to Kevin’s point about the die hards, like it’s been 2 years of every single game that you guys meet me at that that same location. And to say that that means something to me is a egregious understatement. It means the world and more to me. So, I just I can’t say thank you enough for the community that we have established as PHX Mercury, like viewers, watchers, whatever. And then also obviously Mercury fans as well. Like it is second to none. Absolutely none. So, I I just want to say thank you for the community in year two. Uh hopefully we’re back in year three for more. But I just thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And thank you again. We’ll uh keep it going. Keep the trainer rolling. Keep the bus a busing, keep the sink of shipping through the playoffs. Uh, I appreciate all of you and we will be back with you on Sunday for a postgame show after the Mercury beat the Liberty. AA bang bang bang the non-existent number thunder sticks. Bye. [Applause] [Music]

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The Phoenix Mercury closed the regular season with three straight losses to the Wings, Sparks, and Sun — but their Top 4 seed is locked in. Now, it’s all about the playoffs. Erika and Kevin break down the Mercury’s upcoming first-round matchup with the New York Liberty, a team Phoenix went 3-1 against this season. Can Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper, and Satou Sabally lead the Merc past Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu? We dig into keys to the series, X-factors, and what the Mercury need to do to start strong in the postseason.

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