Nate Tibbetts Praises Satou Sabally's Resilience After Playoff Struggles
Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts has expressed confidence in forward Satou Sabally's ability to bounce back after a challenging performance in the recent playoff game against the New York Liberty. Despite shooting struggles, Tibbetts highlights Sabally's "new day mentality" as a key factor in her potential for improvement.
Tibbetts' Faith in Sabally's Work Ethic
Following the Mercury's 76-69 defeat to the New York Liberty, much attention was directed towards Sabally's performance. Tibbetts emphasized his belief in her dedication and approach to overcoming setbacks. He has publicly challenged Sabally to elevate her game throughout the season.
"That’s the beauty of Satou’s approach. She’s got a new day mentality. We believe in her work, and we feel like she’ll be ready to respond.” - Nate Tibbetts via Desert Wave Media Co
Tibbetts noted that Sabally's ability to quickly process and learn from difficult games is a strength he admires. Even with the offensive struggles, the Mercury only lost by seven points to the reigning champions.
Sabally's Perspective on the Game
Sabally, while acknowledging her poor shooting performance (2-17 from the field), remains optimistic and focused on improvement. She reviewed the game footage and identified areas for adjustment, emphasizing the importance of trusting her training and abilities.
"You really can’t beat yourself up when you’re having one bad game...Trusting your own abilities and your own gift that has been God given and really just trusting the process, it’s o.k.” - Satou Sabally via Desert Wave Media Co
She attributes the performance to a mix of forced shots and well-defended opportunities, underlining the need to maintain a positive mindset and rely on her established skills.
Looking Ahead to Game Two
The Mercury face a crucial "do-or-die" game against the Liberty at Barclays Center. Despite the pressure, the team remains confident and eager to compete. A win would allow them to return to Phoenix for a decisive Game 3.
While the entire team struggled in the previous game, Sabally's performance garnered extra attention due to her All-WNBA status. If they wish to extend their season, the Mercury must secure a victory against the New York Liberty.
Satou Sabally Player Prop Bets - September 17, 2025
Guy Bruhn analyzes Satou Sabally's player prop bets for the upcoming game against the New York Liberty:
| Prop | Over | Under |
|---|---|---|
| Points (18) | Even | -128 |
| Rebounds (8) | -102 | -125 |
| Assists (2) | -119 | -115 |
Satou Sabally's Season and Career Statistics
| Statistic | Season Average | Career Average |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 16.3 | 19.8 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 5.9 | 6.7 |
| Assists Per Game | 2.5 | 4.1 |
| Field Goal Percentage | 40.5% | 41.4% |
| Three-Point Percentage | 32.1% | 33.1% |
Recent Performance
Looking at Satou Sabally's recent performance, it is clear that she can have high and low scoring games. The Phoenix Mercury need a strong contribution from her if they are to defeat the New York Liberty.
| Opponent | Minutes | Points | Assists | Rebounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Liberty | 37 | 9 | 2 | 8 |
| Dallas Wings | 20 | 14 | 5 | 5 |
| Los Angeles Sparks | 25 | 24 | 1 | 5 |
| Connecticut Sun | 27 | 11 | 1 | 6 |
| Washington Mystics | 28 | 10 | 4 | 6 |
Guy Bruhn's final pick for this game is that Satou Sabally will go Under on Assists (-115).
