The Phoenix Mercury entered Chase Center on May 10th, 2026 riding high after dismantling the defending champion Las Vegas Aces the night before. Momentum, confidence, and energy appeared to be on Phoenix’s side early as the Mercury jumped out to a quick lead against the Golden State Valkyries in front of a sold-out crowd in San Francisco.

Then the second quarter happened.

Golden State completely flipped the game with suffocating defense, transition offense, and relentless ball pressure, handing the Mercury a 95-79 loss that exposed several issues Phoenix could not overcome on the second night of a back-to-back.

The loss spoiled what was nearly another triple-double performance from Alyssa Thomas and showed how dangerous the Valkyries have become in just their second season in the WNBA.

Fast Start for the Phoenix Mercury
Phoenix opened the game looking sharp offensively. The Mercury attacked the paint early, moved the ball well, and built a quick 7-0 lead that silenced the crowd inside Chase Center.

Alyssa Thomas immediately controlled the pace of the game, creating opportunities for teammates while pushing the ball in transition. Phoenix’s defensive rotations also looked strong in the opening quarter as they forced difficult shots and held Golden State to just 17 first-quarter points.

By the end of the first quarter, the Mercury held a 20-17 lead and appeared to have control.

That control disappeared quickly.

Golden State Valkyries Dominate the Second Quarter
The second quarter became the defining stretch of the game and ultimately the reason Phoenix walked away with the loss.

Golden State erupted for 31 points in the quarter while holding Phoenix to just 11 points. The Valkyries’ defense completely disrupted the Mercury offense, forcing turnovers and turning those mistakes into easy transition baskets.

Gabby Williams became the spark for Golden State’s defensive pressure. Her steals, deflections, and energy changed the pace of the game. Veronica Burton controlled the offense with precision passing while Kayla Thornton consistently attacked the rim.

The biggest dagger came from the Valkyries’ bench.

Janelle Salaün entered the game and immediately caught fire offensively. Her ability to stretch the floor created matchup problems Phoenix never solved. Salaün knocked down multiple three-pointers and helped Golden State build a double-digit lead before halftime.

By the break, the Valkyries led 48-31.

Alyssa Thomas Nearly Carries Mercury Back
To Phoenix’s credit, the Mercury refused to quit.

The third quarter became Phoenix’s best stretch of basketball all night as Alyssa Thomas took over offensively. Thomas attacked downhill, controlled the tempo, and repeatedly created scoring opportunities for teammates.

Kiana Williams added a critical three-pointer during the comeback effort while the Mercury defense tightened up enough to cut into the lead.

Phoenix outscored Golden State 31-18 in the third quarter and eventually cut the deficit to just three points in the fourth quarter.

For a moment, it looked like the Mercury might complete the comeback.

Instead, Golden State responded with another huge run.

Janelle Salaün Delivers the Knockout Blow
Every time Phoenix threatened, Janelle Salaün answered.

The Valkyries forward delivered one of the biggest performances of the night, finishing with 21 points off the bench while shooting an incredibly efficient 7-for-9 from the field and 4-for-4 from beyond the arc.

Her scoring burst late in the fourth quarter helped Golden State regain momentum and completely shut down Phoenix’s comeback attempt.

Gabby Williams continued making winning plays on both ends of the floor while Veronica Burton orchestrated the offense with 12 assists.

Golden State closed the game on a dominant run and pulled away for the convincing 95-79 victory.

Alyssa Thomas Fills the Stat Sheet Again
Even in the loss, Alyssa Thomas proved why she remains one of the most versatile players in the WNBA.

Thomas finished the game with:​

She came within one rebound of another triple-double and was the clear engine of the Mercury offense throughout the game.

However, Golden State’s defensive pressure also forced Thomas into six turnovers, which became a major factor in the outcome.

Phoenix struggled overall with ball security, committing 17 turnovers that directly led to 24 points for the Valkyries.

DeWanna Bonner and Phoenix Supporting Cast Struggle
While Thomas produced another elite all-around performance, Phoenix needed more from the rest of the roster.

DeWanna Bonner finished with only five points and never found an offensive rhythm. Natasha Mack, who dominated the boards against Las Vegas the night before, was limited significantly on the glass.

The Mercury bench also struggled to match Golden State’s energy and production.

Fatigue may have played a role after Phoenix’s emotional win over the Aces less than 24 hours earlier, especially during defensive rotations and transition recovery situations.

Golden State Valkyries Continue Building Momentum
The Valkyries looked every bit like a rising contender in the WNBA.

Golden State improved to 2-0 while showcasing a roster built around defensive intensity, depth, and versatile scoring. The atmosphere inside Chase Center was electric as 18,064 fans packed the arena for the team’s home opener.

The crowd energy clearly fueled the Valkyries throughout the game, especially during the second-quarter takeover that shifted momentum permanently.

Veronica Burton controlled the offense masterfully while Gabby Williams established herself as one of the best defensive playmakers on the floor.

The combination of defense, transition offense, and efficient shooting proved too much for Phoenix to overcome.

Why the Phoenix Mercury Lost
​Several key issues led directly to the Mercury defeat against Golden State:

Phoenix also struggled defending the three-point line during key stretches while Golden State capitalized on momentum swings far more effectively.

Final Thoughts on Mercury vs Valkyries
The Phoenix Mercury showed flashes of resilience during their comeback attempt, but Golden State’s depth and defensive pressure ultimately decided the game.

For Phoenix, the loss serves as an early reminder that consistency and ball security remain critical areas to improve if the Mercury want to compete for a championship this season.

For Golden State, the victory further established the Valkyries as one of the WNBA’s fastest-rising teams.

With a packed Chase Center crowd behind them and multiple players contributing on both ends of the floor, Golden State looks prepared to become a serious problem for opponents throughout the 2026 WNBA season. 

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Past Phoenix Mercury Articles:
​Phoenix Mercury Shock the WNBA: Blow Out Defending Champs Las Vegas on Opening Night 

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