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Valkyries Falter Late in Phoenix, Mercury Secure Narrow Victory
30 Jul
Summary
- Valkyries lost 91-89 to Phoenix Mercury after a late-game collapse.
- Team-leading scorer Gabby Williams was sidelined due to a back injury.
- Phoenix Mercury shot 43 free throws to Golden State's 19.
The Golden State Valkyries' game against the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday, July 29, concluded with a tough 91-89 loss. This defeat snapped their franchise-record nine-game winning streak and marked their second consecutive loss.
Despite holding a halftime lead of 46-34, the Valkyries faltered in the second half. A significant factor in the game was the disparity in free throws, with the Mercury shooting 43 attempts compared to the Valkyries' 19.
Golden State played without forward Gabby Williams, their leading scorer, who is recovering from a lower back injury sustained in early July. The team was led by Cecilia Zandalasini's 16 points and Veronica Burton's 15 points and five assists.
Late-game execution proved costly for the Valkyries. Janelle Salaun missed a crucial free throw that could have tied the game, and a subsequent miscommunication led to a turnover with seconds remaining.
The Mercury were powered by Kahleah Copper's 27 points and Alyssa Thomas's near triple-double with 25 points. The loss brings the Valkyries' record to 19-9, maintaining their third-best standing in the league as they prepare to return home for games against the Toronto Tempo on August 2 and 4.
