Thursday night saw a thriller between the New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury, with the Mercury coming out on top 89-81. But the action on the court wasn’t the only thing grabbing fans’ attention; NFL quarterback Russell Wilson and his wife, Grammy Award-winning artist Ciara, were also in the building.
The couple attended the game at Barclays Center with their kids, joining fans for the Juneteenth celebration while cheering on both teams. While the news broke out with the WNBA announcing their presence in the arena, Ciara shared her version of this eccentric visit.
Ciara and Russell Wilson Steal Spotlight As New York Liberty Loses
Mercury and Liberty fans could not stop gazing at Wilson and his wife, Ciara, as the couple enjoyed the game, cheering everyone on, smiling, and clapping throughout the game.
Their energy was infectious, and they enjoyed every single bit of the action and Juneteenth celebrations. Ciara shared her family’s pictures via her official Instagram handle, showing off the unseen bits right from the front row.
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Ciara is known for her fashion and wardrobe choices, and she displayed them at this particular game too, with her unique pink Yankees cap with bunny ears on it.
Plus, the family seemed to enjoy the day out without baby Amora by their side. Only Future, Sienna, and Win were present alongside.
Even as the crowd was pleased to see them, they did not prove lucky for the New York Liberty, who lost a crucial game.
Rookie Monique Akoa Makani put up a fantastic display with a season-high 21 points, and Alyssa Thomas’ 18 points and 15 rebounds. Thomas also dished out seven assists as the Mercury defeated New York for their fourth straight win.
Sami Whitcomb scored 16 points in the fourth quarter, with Satou Sabally scoring 14 points and nine rebounds. Whitcomb’s 3-pointers ended a 16-6 run, giving the Mercury the much-needed edge with just 3 minutes and 10 seconds remaining on the clock.
Breanna Stewart also put up a strong performance with a season-high 35 points for the defending champions, even as they lost at home for the first time this season. Sabrina Ionescu tallied 16 points.
New York also had a strong performance coming in from Jonquel Jones, but she left early during the second quarter of the game due to her right ankle injury. Mercury lost a player too, with Lexi Held leaving during the third quarter after colliding with Stewart near mid-court.
The Liberty will now look forward to a four-game trip starting Sunday, with the first one in Seattle.