NEW YORK -- The reigning WNBA champion New York Liberty are a loss away from playoff elimination after getting what star Breanna Stewart said was "embarrassed" by the Phoenix Mercury 86-60 at Barclays Center on Wednesday night.

It was the worst home playoff defeat in Liberty history and ranks as the second-largest playoff loss by a defending champion in WNBA history. Many fans who arrived hoping to escort the Liberty into the semifinals instead filed out of the arena with 4:54 left in the fourth quarter.

A decisive Game 3 will be in Phoenix on Friday.

"They came in and they embarrassed us on our home court," Stewart said. "Now we have to go back there for Game 3. Winner take all. If we're not ready for that, then we shouldn't be here."

Stewart, who sprained her MCL in the final

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