Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas dribbles past Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams during the fourth quarter at Chase Center.
The Phoenix Mercury faced a different kind of test on the second night of a back-to-back, falling 95-79 to the Golden State Valkyries in San Francisco. After an emotional and high-energy matchup Saturday against the Las Vegas Aces, the Mercury struggled against the Valkyries’ distinct style, which fed off the energy of their home crowd on opening night. Golden State dominated on both ends, building an 18-point lead in the first half.
Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun dribbles against Phoenix Mercury guard Kiana Williams during the first quarter at Chase Center.
Phoenix found their footing to start the third quarter, cutting the deficit to a single possession by period’s end. However, the Valkyries capitalized on Mercury foul trouble and maintained defensive pressure to secure the win.
Phoenix Mercury guard Jovana Nogic celebrates a three-point basket against the Golden State Valkyries during the first quarter at Chase Center.
Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts noted that the atmosphere and physical toll eventually caught up with his team, arriving in San Francisco just 24 hours after playing in Las Vegas the previous day. “I thought we battled back and did that,” Tibbetts said. “Maybe we just kind of ran out of gas a little bit, but this is a tough place to play, especially on opening night.”
While the loss stings, Phoenix heads home with a 1-1 record to start the season—a result Tibbetts said he was “happy” with. The road trip provided plenty for the Mercury to work on but also reasons to celebrate. Alyssa Thomas recorded her first double-double of the season and flirted with a triple-double, while Natasha Mack hit her first career three-pointer. Jovana Nogic scored in double figures in her first two career games, and Noemie Brochant and Kiana Williams continued to show they can be lethal shooters off the bench.
Phoenix Mercury forward-guard DeWanna Bonner drives against Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton during the second quarter at Chase Center.
The third-quarter response could prove important as the Mercury build chemistry and consistency during the opening stretch. It served as an early reminder that WNBA games demand different approaches from night to night, while offering positives beyond the record. The Mercury now head home for their opening night in a rematch of the 2025 WNBA Semi-Final series against the Minnesota Lynx.
