WNBA Game Preview: Golden State Valkyries (18-17) vs. Phoenix Mercury (21-14)

Team Form & Storylines

Golden State Valkyries

Recent Form: 3 wins in last 5, but dropped their last game to Phoenix 98–91

Key Absence: Star forward Kayla Thornton (14.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG) is out for the season

Strengths:

Elite defense: 4th in defensive rating, fewest points in the paint allowed

Strong rebounding: 35.2 RPG, 5th in offensive rebounding rate

Shooting threats: Cecilia Zandalasini (44.6% 3PT), Tiffany Hayes (40.8% 3PT), Veronica Burton (38.2% 3PT)

Weaknesses:

League’s slowest pace, fewest fast break points, 10th in offensive efficiency

Phoenix Mercury

Recent Form: 5–5 in last 10, coming off a win over Golden State

Key Players:

Satou Sabally: 17.1 PPG, 7.8 RPG

Alyssa Thomas: 16.2 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 9.1 APG, 1.7 SPG

Kahleah Copper: 13.4 PPG over last 5 games

Strengths:

High-powered offense: 83.1 PPG, 9.2 made threes per game

Balanced attack with elite passing and rebounding

Injury Report: No major injuries listed

Head-to-Head Notes

Season Series: Mercury lead 3–0

June 5: Mercury win 86–77

July 14: Mercury win 78–77

August 19: Mercury win 98–91

All-Time Series: Mercury lead

Playoff Implications:

Mercury fighting to hold 4th seed

Valkyries clinging to 7th, just ahead of Seattle

Golden State’s defense is gritty and disruptive, but Phoenix has the firepower and depth to exploit their offensive limitations. With Sabally and Thomas in rhythm and the Mercury undefeated in the season series, they’re favored to sweep. Still, if Zandalasini heats up and Burton controls tempo, the Valkyries could make this a grind-it-out thriller.