The Golden State Valkyries returned home for one game on Tuesday, hosting the Phoenix Mercury for the second time this season. The visitors had struggled to start the season, but were looking to finish off a perfect road trip. There were times in the first half where it looked like the Valkyries might run away with the game, but the game got competitive in the second half as the Mercury got it within one possession at times in the fourth quarter. Golden State made just enough plays down the stretch to end their losing streak, prevailing 87-81.
The Lineup
There was no change to the lineup or rotation for the Valkyries in this game as it was another opponent that was willing to match the smallball lineups for a large portion of the game. Neither team ended up activating any developmental players for the contest. The big player news came from Phoenix as both of their injured stars were healthy for the game, meaning that Kahleah Copper and Alyssa Thomas started alongside Monique Akoa Makani, Noemie Brochant and Natasha Mack.
First Quarter
Veronica Burton scored on the very first possession when she hit a floater, but the Mercury took the lead with a three-pointer. Burton responded behind the arc after both teams had empty possessions and then Gabby Williams made a layup. Kiah Stokes made a three-pointer at the top of the key only to see her counterpart at center answer, the start of a 9-0 Phoenix run to take the lead ahead of the media timeout. That run extended further when Phoenix scored two more baskets, forcing a Valkyries timeout.
Bench players came in during the stoppage, but it was Burton who stopped the drought with a layup and then Kayla Thornton made a three-pointer. Janelle Salaun gave the Valkyries the lead back with a fast break layup after a great team defensive stand. Burton made two free throws before the Mercury stopped the run and Salaun connected next from distance for a 22-18 lead at the end of the quarter.
Second Quarter
Phoenix scored on their first possession and then the Valkyries got their first two points from Kayla Thornton free throws. Tiffany Hayes converted a three-point play with the shot clock expiring before the Mercury scored the next four points. The starters began to return as Thornton and Gabby Williams had consecutive layups, but Golden State gave up a three-point play. Tiffany Hayes found success on a drive again and Veronica Burton’s great half continued with a three-pointer before a timeout.
Burton drew a foul when action resumed, making both free throws before Williams found an open lane to the basket for a layup. Both of them struck again as Burton made one free throw and Williams made a three-pointer as she added a free throw after Phoenix argued a foul call. Burton conceded a transition take foul after a turnover, but the Valkyries got the steal when action resumed and Burton was fouled. The Mercury picked up a technical right before the first free throw, but Thornton missed the extra shot before Burton made her shots. It was Burton again on the last possession for Golden State for the 49-32 lead at the break.
Third Quarter
Phoenix scored first, but it seemed like Golden State had nothing to worry about after Gabby Williams made a three-pointer. The Mercury scored the next two baskets as the Valkyries took a timeout with three scoreless minutes. Janelle Salaun made a three-pointer, but Phoenix continued to find rhythm even as Veronica Burton converted a three-point play. The Mercury cut the deficit to single digits before a Burton free throw and then made consecutive baskets to really make the game tight again. Janelle Salaun was able to draw a foul beyond the arc and make all three free throws. Kaila Charles scored her first points by crashing the offensive boards and Tiffany Hayes made a pair of free throws, but Phoenix scored the last seven points of the quarter to only trail 66-61.
Fourth Quarter
Gabby Williams gave the team some breathing room with a basket on the first possession and also split a pair of free throws. There was an early timeout as the Valkyries challenged a foul call, winning the replay review, but nearly ended up being worse off until Phoenix missed the free throw that would have given them a three-point play. The Mercury made another free throw before Veronica Burton scored and then the teams traded three-pointers with Williams making hers for the Valkyries. Phoenix scored and then got some defensive stops, leaving them only trailing by two points when they made a three-pointer.
Williams continue her strong second half with a basket, but the Mercury found success from long-range again. Kaila Charles played in the closing lineup and cut for an open layup at a key time. Neither team was able to get stops as Kayla Thornton three-pointer and a Williams three-point play, both off of Burton assists, kept Golden State out in front. Phoenix made their own three-point play and got the stop that they needed, but the Valkyries defense came up with the steal at the critical moment and Williams made one free throw to make it a two-possession game. The Mercury could not get a good shot and fouled Thornton to extend the game with her two free throws giving the Valkyries the 87-81 final margin.
Player of the Game
The award will go to Veronica Burton for this game as she set the tone early on offense with a big scoring first half. She ended up playing every second of the second half to seal the win as she also had another excellent performance when it came to playmaking. Even with the schedule being reasonable for her to play heavy minutes, the Valkyries will need to continue to find ways to get her some rest during games so that she can stay fresh for the ends of games.
The Verdict
This was a solid win to bounce back from two close losses even though it did not end up being easy despite building a big lead in the second half. With two days without a game before and after this game, playing some of the starters heavy minutes seemed reasonable to get the win. They do need some time in an upcoming game to expand the rotation back and try out some lineups for more extended periods though and hope would be that Friday’s road game offers opportunities that could not be explored in the second half of this game.
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