Valkyries hold – Veronica Burton’s first-half scoring sprint and a strong Golden State lead held up as the Valkyries beat the Phoenix Mercury 87-81 Tuesday night in a game that tightened after Phoenix’s 29-point third quarter.
SAN FRANCISCO — Tuesday night felt like a story written in two halves. Veronica Burton poured in 19 of her 25 points before halftime, Golden State seized control early, and by intermission the Valkyries were cruising with a 49-32 advantage.
Then Phoenix flipped the script.
The Valkyries finished 87-81 over the Mercury as Burton kept them steady. Gabby Williams added 25 points. and Golden State’s lead survived a fierce third-quarter push that pulled Phoenix within five at 66-61 heading into the final 10 minutes. Williams’ 3-pointer with 5:58 remaining made it 74-67, and a sequence of baskets afterward kept the Mercury from regaining control.
Burton converted 5 of her 7 shots in the first two quarters and went 7-for-15 from the floor overall. Janelle Salaun came off the bench to score 11 points and grab five rebounds. Golden State shot 57.1% in the first half. and the Valkyries’ 49-32 lead was built with a 49-32 advantage at the break. For the game, Golden State finished at 44.3%.
Williams broke the game open again after the third-quarter momentum. With 5:58 left, her 3-pointer gave Golden State its biggest breathing room since the comeback began. She then found Kaila Charles for a key layup with 2:26 remaining. Kayla Thornton’s 3 the next time down stretched the lead further, and Williams followed moments later with a three-point play.
Golden State guard Tiffany Hayes went down with 5:13 left in the second quarter after a collision. She later returned, but it was yet another moment that could have shifted the rhythm in a game already carrying tension.
Phoenix didn’t just cut the deficit—it attacked it. After Golden State led by as many as 18. Phoenix’s third quarter produced 29 points. turning a comfortable advantage into a late-game scramble. The Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas started and finished with 22 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. Thomas also dealt with a left calf injury and missed Friday’s game at Portland before returning Tuesday.
The officiating added friction in the closing stretch. Thomas was whistled for a technical foul 1:47 before halftime, and Kahleah Copper received a technical with 56 seconds remaining.
Monique Akoa Makani scored 19 points for Phoenix, and Natasha Mack hauled down 10 rebounds. Despite the charge, Phoenix struggled with the ball—committing 16 turnovers that Golden State turned into 17 points.
Phoenix came in having won two straight after a six-game skid. Golden State entered with a recent setback, having lost two in a row. Still, the Valkyries found a way to preserve the lead they built early.
Golden State and Phoenix will meet again July 29 in Phoenix.
The Mercury dropped to 3-2 on the road against the Western Conference.
Golden State Valkyries Phoenix Mercury Veronica Burton Gabby Williams Alyssa Thomas Natasha Mack Kayla Thornton Tiffany Hayes WNBA July 29 rematch
87-81 but y’all make it sound like it was crazy. Who cares it’s still a win lol
That 29-point third quarter for Phoenix is wild, but how did Golden State only survive by 6?? Like did the defense just fall asleep or what. Also Burton scored a lot early so I guess that’s why.
I’m confused, it says Burton poured in 19 before halftime but then later it’s saying she kept them steady like she did all the work the whole game. And the Mercury “tightened”?? That makes it sound like they almost had it but couldn’t, smh. Hayes went down too, so maybe that’s what flipped it? unless that was already in the third quarter.
Mercury really had a comeback after being down 49-32, but then the Valkyries hit like one big 3 and suddenly it’s over. Williams’ 3-pointer at 5:58 made it sound like the game was decided right there, but teams usually go on runs for way longer than that. Also why does it matter what % they shot in the first half if they were still getting clawed at in the third?? Just seems like luck + free throws