WNBA Game Preview: Phoenix Mercury (14-6) vs. Golden State Valkyries (10-10)

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Date: Monday, July 14, 2025
Time: 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT
Venue: Chase Center — San Francisco, CA
Broadcast: YouTube TV, KPIX+ (Bay Area), KMAX (Sacramento), WNBA League Pass

Team Overview

Phoenix Mercury (14–6)

Standing: 2nd in Western Conference

Last 5 Games: W-W-L-L-W

Head Coach: Nate Tibbetts

Key Players:

Satou Sabally — 19.1 PPG, 7.7 RPG (questionable with ankle injury)

Alyssa Thomas — 15.3 PPG, 9.5 APG, 7.5 RPG

DeWanna Bonner — recently re-signed veteran presence

Team Stats:

84.6 PPG (3rd in WNBA)

43.5% FG, 34.5% 3PT

10.0 3PM/game (1st in WNBA)

107.3 offensive rating (5th)

79.5 opponent PPG (5th)

Golden State Valkyries (10–10)

Standing: 4th in Western Conference

Last 5 Games: L-W-L-L-W

Head Coach: Lindsey Harding

Key Players:

Kayla Thornton — 14.8 PPG, 7.2 RPG

Tiffany Hayes — 13.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG

Veronica Burton — 21 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST in last outing

Team Stats:

79.2 PPG

40.4% FG, 30.5% 3PT

9.3 3PM/game (4th in WNBA)

103.3 offensive rating (10th)

77.3 opponent PPG (2nd)

Head-to-Head Insights

Season Series: Mercury lead 1–0

Last Meeting: Phoenix defeated Golden State 86–77 in June

Trend Watch:

Valkyries are 5–1 ATS at home

Mercury are 7–3 on the road

Over has hit in 6 of Golden State’s last 7 games

Key Matchups to Watch

Alyssa Thomas vs. Kayla Thornton

Thomas is the Mercury’s engine, averaging nearly a triple-double.

Thornton leads Golden State in scoring and rebounding and will be tasked with slowing Thomas down.

Bench Depth

Phoenix’s recent addition of DeWanna Bonner adds veteran scoring.

Golden State’s balanced scoring (six players in double figures vs. Las Vegas) gives them flexibility.

GAME ODDS

Phoenix Mercury                             158.5

Golden State Valkyries                  – 2.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, July 13, 2025

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WNBA Editor
Profile: A dedicated WNBA analyst with a deep understanding of the league’s tactical evolution, player‑development pathways, and expanding cultural impact. This columnist provides comprehensive coverage that blends advanced metrics, film study, and league‑wide context to highlight the storylines shaping modern professional women’s basketball. Background: With extensive experience covering the WNBA and women’s basketball at multiple levels, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets and digital platforms, offering perspective on coaching trends, roster construction, and organizational strategy. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and tracking team progression throughout the season. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and matchup analysis Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive systems Player evaluation, draft analysis, and free‑agency movement Team‑building strategy, salary‑cap dynamics, and front‑office trends Historical context, league milestones, and postseason features Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes and statistical models into insights that resonate with both long‑time WNBA fans and new followers of the league. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the WNBA’s growth, competitiveness, and influence on the broader basketball landscape.