Breanna Stewart had 26 points and 11 rebounds, Sabrina Ionescu had 13 points and seven assists, and the New York Liberty improved to 8-0 with an 86-78 victory over the Washington Mystics on Thursday night.

New York is off to its best start in franchise history, moving past the 1997 squad that started 7-0. The Liberty joined the Minnesota Lynx (8-0) atop the league standings.

Kennedy Burke hit a 3-pointer with 3.3 seconds left in the third quarter to give New York a 73-57 lead.

But Washington scored 14 of the opening 18 points of the fourth to get within 77-71. The Mystics had a chance to reduce a seven-point deficit with three minutes remaining before Isabelle Harrison made a steal and a fast-break layup while being fouled. Harrison completed the three-point play for an 81-71 lead.

After New York's lead was trimmed to 81-77 following Washington's 6-0 run, Stewart made three of four free throws and Ionescu added two to stay in front.

Burke finished with 12 points on four 3-pointers for New York, which was coming off a 48-point win on the road for the largest margin of victory in franchise history.

Kiki Iriafen, the WNBA rookie of the month in May, scored 17 points and Jade Melbourne added 15 for Washington (3-6).

 

DOUBLE-DOUBLE STEW YORK pic.twitter.com/DQXcdFJu0c

— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) June 6, 2025

Mercury close on 18-1 run to beat Valkyries

Rookie Lexi Held scored a season-high 24 points, Satou Sabally had 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists and the Phoenix Mercury closed on an 18-1 run to defeat the Golden State Valkyries 86-77.

Phoenix trailed 76-68 with 4:04 remaining but Held put the Mercury ahead 77-76 with 1:11 remaining on a deep 3-pointer.

After Golden State went 1-for-2 at the free-throw line, Sabally rebounded her own miss and put it in while being fouled. Sabally made the free throw for a three-point play and an 80-77 advantage with 33.3 left.

Golden State guard Veronica Burton missed a wide-open layup at the other end and Sabally was fouled before making two free throws for a five-point lead. The Valkyries turned it over on their next two inbound plays, and the Mercury made four straight free throws to seal it.

Have yourself a night Lexi pic.twitter.com/qelGI58PbH

— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) June 6, 2025

Phoenix (6-3) improved to 5-1 at home - a franchise best to begin a season.

Burton led Golden State (2-5) with 16 points, going 9-for-11 at the free-throw line and Temi Fagbenle had 12 points and 10 rebounds.