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PHOENIX — The Liberty said they were saving their best basketball for last. 

They said they were building and now healthy could maximize this group’s potential. 

But in Game 1 of the first-round series between the defending champions and the Mercury Sunday, New York looked like a team on the brink of a collapse.

The Liberty squandered a seven-point lead in the third, scoring only two points over the final 5:04 of that quarter. 

The game went into overtime after both teams missed opportunities down the stretch to go ahead. 

But then that championship mentality and playoff experience kicked in. 

Natasha Cloud, who looked like she was out for vengeance against her former team, made a 3.

Then, Breanna Stewart made a layup through contact, though she was slow to get up and after making the free throw checked out for the final 2:07. 

A camera showed Stewart looking visibly upset on the bench, and her status wasn’t immediately clear. 

Ultimately, the Liberty outscored the Mercury 11-4 in overtime to beat the Mercury 76-69 and take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.