The series between the New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury has come down to a win-or-go-home clash in Phoenix. The Liberty limped into the decider with plenty of questions hanging over them. Could an unfit Breanna Stewart carry the weight one more time? Could the roster outlast a Mercury side buzzing with confidence after bouncing back in Game 2 with a 26-point statement win following their overtime heartbreak in the opener? And just when it seemed the challenge couldn’t get any tougher for New York, an incident involving Leonie Fiebich made things even more difficult.

Not many rookies can say they earned a starting spot on a championship team, but for 25-year-old Leonie Fiebich, that’s exactly what happened. The German forward made her mark during the 2024 playoffs, stepping into the spotlight and breaking the record for the most points scored by a Liberty player in their playoff debut with 21. Since then she has been a regular starter for the team.

Ahead of the do-or-die clash with the Mercury, coach Sandy Brondello made it clear — she wanted “everything” from German international Leonie Fiebich if the Liberty were to have a real shot. But barely two minutes into the game, the script flipped. Fiebich suddenly found herself being escorted off the court by Natasha Cloud. So, what exactly went down?

With 8:46 left on the clock, Leonie Fiebich was locked in on defense as Kahleah Copper drove hard to the rim. In the scramble, Copper’s knee caught Fiebich right in the ribs, sending the Liberty forward, crashing to the floor in visible pain.

Fiebich has been a key piece for the Liberty this season, averaging 8.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. But to truly understand her value, you only need to look at how the team fared without her. When the German international left for EuroBasket, the Liberty’s rhythm fell apart, and their record showed it.

During the two and a half weeks Fiebich was away on international duty, the Liberty played seven games and managed to win only two. If that stretch doesn’t already underline her importance, her recent Game 1 against the Mercury surely does–she scored five clutch points in overtime to seal the win for New York. “It’s funny, she had missed some early on, and I knew she was gonna hit the biggest one of the night,” Sabrina Ionescu said following the Game 1 win about Fiebich. “It’s just what she does.”

So, will the Liberty forward play any part in the game?

Has Leonie Fiebich been ruled out of Game 3 vs the Mercury?

Good news for Liberty fans. What initially looked like a serious blow, a painful knee to the ribs that had Fiebich escorted off by Natasha Cloud and the team doctor, turned out to be only a temporary setback. The German forward showed her toughness and returned to the court before the first quarter was even over.

The forward went on to play 12 minutes in the first half, scoring 3 points while also grabbing a rebound and dishing out an assist. It’s clear she’s still feeling the effects of the hit, but as the game progresses, there’s hope she can shake off the pain and get back to full form.

It’ll be fascinating to see which team comes out on top. Both sides have more than earned a shot at victory, but the Liberty know it would be a huge disappointment if all their hard work over the past three years doesn’t take them back to the finals once again. Who do you see moving on to the next round? Share your thoughts in the comments below!