The Golden State Valkyries had a rematch with the Phoenix Mercury on Friday, this time playing them on the road after their home loss on Tuesday. This game did not have the same explosive offensive start and the Valkyries struggled to score all night. There were some periods where the defense kept them close enough to give them a chance at a comeback, but they fell behind by a large margin in the second half to lose 81-72 as health continues to be a main factor.
The Lineup
Player availability was the big question for the Valkyries again for this game and they had both Tiffany Hayes and Iliana Rupert back, allowing them to join Veronica Burton, Janelle Salaun, and Temi Fagbenle in the starting lineup. Carla Leite had been listed on the injury report, but was able to play and was the first player off of the bench. Monique Billings not being able to return yet meant that Kaila Charles was able to sign another contract on a hardship exception. Kahleah Copper was also available for Phoenix after she had left yesterday’s game early as the Mercury were able to field the same lineup as the previous night, replacing Sami Whitcomb with Monique Akoa Makani from the last game against Golden State.
First Quarter
The first possession was rather choppy with a less than clean jumpball and an early foul, but Janelle Salaun started the scoring with a three-pointer. Phoenix got on the board right after and then Veronica Burton hit from beyond the arc before an immediate answer. After the frenetic first minute, neither team was able to score for more than three and a half minutes before the Mercury took the lead with another three-pointer. Sami Whitcomb hit again from beyond the arc after the media timeout, helping Phoenix stretch out the run to 11-0 before Carla Leite made a free throw to end the drought before it could reach six minutes. Janelle Salaun and Tiffany Hayes scored to make the game closer and then Laeticia Amihere scored after coming off the bench early again. Salaun made a tough layup, but Amihere just missed beating the buzzer, which would have tied the score at 17.
Second Quarter
After an early timeout for Natasha Mack to get treatment for an injury, Phoenix opened the scoring before Iliana Rupert made a three-pointer. The Mercury hit three straight shots from distance to expand the lead before Janelle Salaun scored twice in a row. Veronica Burton and Salaun scored to keep the Valkyries close, but the Mercury were able to build a double-digit lead. Carla Leite was able to convert a three-point play, but Golden State committed a foul on the next possession and Tiffany Hayes was whistled for a technical foul too. Laeticia Amihere made a pair of free throws to leave the deficit at 41-31 at the break.
Third Quarter
Iliana Rupert started the scoring in the second half with a three-pointer from the corner followed by Tiffany Hayes hitting one from the wing. The Valkyries missed a chance to get closer after a good transition opportunity, allowing Satou Sabally to get the Mercury on the board. Temi Fagbenle hit a pair of free throws, but Hayes got injured while committing a foul on the next possession. After the long stoppage, Janelle Salaun hit a tough jumper and then Fagbenle got a steal and score to make it a one-possession game. Carla Leite had to exit the game briefly after coming in for Hayes with Kaila Charles coming in for her and scoring after a basket from Veronica Burton. Phoenix built the lead back up, going on a 14-3 run with Golden State only making free throws. Burton finally broke the three-minute field goal drought, but the Mercury responded to lead 67-54.
Fourth Quarter
The Mercury opted to press the Valkyries on the inbounds to start the quarter, allowing Kaila Charles to open the scoring on free throws after getting behind the defense. Phoenix scored the next six points before Charles made a three-pointer and Kate Martin, who did not enter the game until the second half, made a nice pass to Veronica Burton for a score that had Phoenix take a quick timeout. Kaitlyn Chen entered the game after the stoppage, but there was no late Golden State push as free throws were missed after technical and transition take fouls. Phoenix emptied their bench with two minutes left and baskets from Iliana Rupert and Martin cut the final margin to a more respectable 81-72 loss.
The Verdict
This game was expected to be every bit as difficult as the last meeting between the teams and the Valkyries ended up taking another loss. A win would have been huge, but Golden State could not match Phoenix’s intensity on their home court. The next game will be a quick turnaround to finish the road stretch, but now becomes a critical game too in the standings. The team will be waiting on injury news again before that game with Tiffany Hayes leaving again after missing the last game and then Carla Leite leaving after already nursing an injury.
Player of the Game
There were a few solid contributions in this game even though it ended up being uncompetitive at times, but this award will go to Janelle Salaun this time. In a game where the Valkyries struggled on offense all night, she was able to get the points that kept them in the picture, including making some very difficult shots. On the defensive end, she played at power forward in the last game, drawing tough matchups against taller players, but shifted to some small forward minutes this game, being asked to do something completely different against the same opponents. In both games, she played the most minutes of anyone on the team as she has continued to be a critical addition to the team this season.
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