"Stewie was the only one trying" - WNBA fans react as dethroned champs NY Liberty crash out in Round 1 after dismal 34% shooting in Game 3

The New York Liberty suffered a 79-73 loss to the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 on Friday to crash out of the playoffs. Two-time MVP Breanna Stewart was nearly unstoppable but their cold-shooting cost them big. The dethroned champs shot 33.8% clip was a key reason they will face a long offseason of uncertainties.

Fans react to the loss that sent Stewart and Co. on vacation:

“YALL HORRIBLE STEWIE WAS THE ONLY ONE TRYING.”

One fan said:

Another fan added:

One more fan continued:

Another fan reacted:

Breanna Stewart, who sprained her left knee in overtime in Game 1, had her best game of the series. She scored a game-high 30 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. “Stewie” hardly had any support in the deciding game. Only All-Star point guard Sabrina Ionescu hit double-digit scoring to help Stewart.

The versatile forward bounced back from a six-point, two-rebound and two-assist output in Game 2 on Wednesday. The dazzling performance in Phoenix was not enough to drag the Liberty to the finish line.

Phoenix surged to a 22-15 advantage after 10 minutes before holding on for the win. Unlike the Liberty, the Mercury had four players with at least 10 points. Satou Sabally topped the home team with 23 points while Alyssa Thomas tallied 20 with 11 rebounds, 11 assists, two steals and one block.

Beyond well-balanced scoring, the undersized Mercury’s rebounding dominance was another significant reason they beat the former champs. They held a 49-33 edge on the boards, including 8-2 on the offensive glass.

New York Liberty stars are unrestricted free agents after playoff exit

The WNBA is at the doorstep of pivotal changes for next season. Due to looming Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) talks, players are hoping for more lucrative salaries. With that in the background, more than half of the players become unrestricted free agents.

The New York Liberty could look vastly different next season as their core of Jonquel Jones, Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart could all leave. Key contributors like Natasha Cloud and Emma Meesseman are also free to sign elsewhere.

In Stewart’s three seasons in New York, they reached the WNBA Finals in 2023, won the championship last year and exited in the first round in 2025. Following her impressive performance despite playing through an injury in Game 3, fans are hoping she stays with the team.

About the author

Michael Macasero brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his coverage of basketball at Sportskeeda with over 18 years of diverse work experience. This includes stints at Convergys, Interpace and RunRepeat.

Michael's background in English and Journalism has provided him with the analytical skills and precision necessary for creating content, and he is a lifelong fan of the Boston Celtics. His favorite players include legends like Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, modern stars like Tim Duncan, and Nikola Jokic, as well as emerging talent like Victor Wembanyama.

Michael respects Gregg Popovich, despite his contentious demeanor in interviews, and recognizes Popovich's genius in adapting his coaching style to maximize the talent on his roster over the years. Michael eagerly anticipates seeing how Popovich will structure the offense around emerging talent like Victor Wembanyama.

Understanding the story and details is crucial to Michael's reporting philosophy and he believes overlooking details, particularly when pressed for time, can lead to misunderstandings and inaccurate conclusions.

Aside from work, Michael's children are his hobbies, and he also likes to go running, swimming and weightlifting.

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Edited by Michael Macasero