Another night, another growing pain as the Phoenix Mercury vs Valkyries face off in a highly anticipated matchup.
The Golden State Valkyries were four minutes away from a big-time road win — up 76-68 in the desert, silencing the crowd, ready to bring one home. But in a stunning turn, the Phoenix Mercury vs Valkyries game took a dramatic shift, scorching the Valkyries with an 18-1 run, handing them an 86-77 gut punch on Thursday night.
Rookie Lexi Held? Unstoppable during the Phoenix Mercury vs Valkyries showdown. Season-high 24 points. Cold-blooded three with 71 seconds left to give Phoenix the lead. That dagger turned the game.
And then Satou Sabally happened.
The former All-Star collected her own miss, muscled in an and-one, and calmly sank the free throw to put Phoenix up three. A wide-open layup miss from Veronica Burton on the other end felt like the universe tilting. Two missed inbound plays later, it was over.
Buy golden state valkyries shirt
We didn’t lose. We got taught.
Phoenix was without stars Kahleah Copper and Alyssa Thomas — and still found answers. Held finished with 24, Sabally added 19, 7 boards, 5 dimes. The Phoenix Mercury vs Valkyries encounter also highlights Mercury’s best start ever, now 5-1 at home.
For the Valkyries (2-5), it’s another lesson in closing. Burton led with 16 points, showing her usual grit at the stripe (9-for-11). Temi Fagbenle dropped a double-double (12 pts, 10 boards), and three more players hit double figures: Kayla Thornton, Cecilia Zandalasini, and Julie Vanloo. Balance? Yes. Execution down the stretch? Not yet.
The heart’s there. The crowd’s building. But these stumbles? They sting.
From nearly shocking the Liberty… to going cold against the Lynx… to letting a lead slip in Phoenix — this young squad is writing their story one tough chapter at a time. But make no mistake: we’re watching the foundation being poured.
