Triple-double of 20 points from Alyssa Thomas takes Las Mercury to Victoria over Liberty

Alyssa Thomas, who achieved 20 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, for the Mercury, has five of the seven triple-docks of the WNBA playoffs.

Phoenix – Alyssa Thomas He achieved the first Triple-double of 20 points in the history of the postseason of the WNBAand the Phoenix Mercury They advanced to the second round of the playoffs after eliminating the defending champions, New York Libertyby 79-73 in the third game on Friday night.

Satou Sabally added 23 points and 12 rebounds for Las Mercury, fourths of standard heads, which play Sunday against the first series heads, Minnesota, to begin the semifinal round to the best of five.

Thomas, who achieved 11 rebounds and 11 assists, has five of the seven triples of the WNBA playoffs.

Sami Whitcomb scored 13 points and Kahleah Copper added 12 points and nine rebounds for Mercury, which had an advantage of 49-33 in the rebounds. Dewanna Bonner captured eight rebounds, surpassing Candace Parker in the largest amount of rebounds in the history of the playoffs with 614.

Breanna Stewart, five days after suffering a sprain of medial cross ligament (MCL) of the left knee in the extension of the victory of the first game, scored 30 points, including the last 14 in the last quarter for the Liberty. Sabrina Ionescu added 22, but the rest of the Liberty had difficulties.

There were five draws and 13 leadership changes in three quarters, which ended with Phoenix above 60-59, but New York never put ahead in the last quarter.

A Three points of Stewart approached Liberty to 65-64 with 6:51 to play. But Thomas scored a basket, two assists and a rebound to get his ninth triple-double of the season, while the Mercury advanced 72-64 with 5:36 to play.

Stewart led two free throws (12 of 15 from the line) to put the score in 76-73 with 1:10 to play. The Liberty lost the ball and failed three shots at the last minute, ending with 7 of 32 triples, including 1 of 17 in the second half.

The Mercury had a 12-point advantage in the second quarter, but with the 12 ionscu points, the Liberty reduced the advantage to 45-41 to rest.

AM850 Research and The Associated Press contributed to this note.