"NEW YORK -- The reigning WNBA champion New York Liberty are a loss away from playoff elimination after getting what star Breanna Stewart said was "embarrassed" by the Phoenix Mercury 86-60 at Barclays Center on Wednesday night. It was the worst home playoff defeat in Liberty history and ranks as the second-largest playoff loss by a defending champion in WNBA history. Many fans who arrived hoping to escort the Liberty into the semifinals instead filed out of the arena."
"Stewart, who sprained her MCL in the final minutes of a 76-69 Game 1 overtime win, started but wore a brace on her left knee. She played 20 minutes but had just six points and two rebounds, ending her streak of 44 consecutive playoff games with at least 10 points. She entered the game averaging 18.3 points and 6.6 rebounds this season. Stewart scored two first-half points, tied for the fewest she's had in any half during her playoff career."
The New York Liberty, reigning WNBA champions, suffered an 86-60 home loss to the Phoenix Mercury and now face elimination with a winner-take-all Game 3 in Phoenix. The defeat was the worst home playoff loss in Liberty history and one of the largest ever for a defending champion. Breanna Stewart, wearing a brace after an MCL sprain, played 20 minutes and scored six points, ending a long streak of double-digit playoff scoring. Phoenix's defense held New York far below its scoring average, forced 10 steals, and the Liberty committed 15 turnovers and shot poorly over the final three quarters.
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