Valkyries suffer more injuries in 81-72 loss to Mercury

The Valkyries have yet to figure out how to stop Alyssa Thomas.

Thomas, the queen of triple doubles, had the 17th of her great career and 6th this season. Thomas finished with 13 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high tying 16 assists as the Phoenix Mercury swept Golden State in all four games of the season series, winning the finale, 81-72.

It’s never a good time to have a three-game losing streak, particularly when the Valkyries are vying for a playoff spot. To pour salt on the wound, two more players were injured as Carla Leite sustained an ankle injury and Tiffany Hayes had to leave the game with an injured left knee and both did not return.

In addition, Cecilia Zandalasini was not with the team because she has a calf injury.

Of the remaining ten players that were dressed, Janelle Salaün led Golden State scoring 13 of her 15 points in the first half. Veronica Burton added 11 points and they represented the only Valkyries players to score in double digits. Kaila Charles, who recently signed a contract for the remainder of the season, added nine points off the bench and had five rebounds.

“I hope I’m not self-inflicting it, I just hope we’re being smart, but I do believe the game got a little too physical, especially with two teams trying to fight for playoff positions,” coach Natalie Nakase said. “I just keep trying to tell the refs, ‘Please let’s just have healthy bodies walking out of here.’ That’s really why I was on them today and then unfortunately two players went down. I’m trying my best to keep my players healthy.”

As they have done consistently all season, Golden State showed tenacity and grit. Golden State trailed 45-43 with 6:32 remaining in the third quarter following a steal and a running layup by Temi Fágbénlé.

But that’s when the Mercury got hot and went on a 17-6 run that gave Phoenix the momentum for the rest of the game. Monique Akoa Makani finished that run with a layup with the assist going to Thomas on the play with 1:59 to play in the 3rd.

While the game took place in the valley of the sun, back in the Bay Area, the Valkyries had a block party in downtown San Francisco. It was a festive atmosphere. There was live music, games, and in-game host Ari Waller was there too.

After the game, the concern was for the injury status of Leite and Hayes.

“It’s hard because at the end of the day that’s our teammate, that’s our family,” Burton said. “So, when you see someone go down from an emotional standpoint, that’s never easy. That’s the reality of sports unfortunately and the reality of the ‘W’ (WNBA) right now especially. You hate to see injury on either team.”

Shorthanded or not, Golden State struggled defensively as the Mercury shot a blistering 43.8 percent from distance (14-of-32). Four of the five shots from DeWanna Bonner were threes and she finished with 14 points off the bench. Makani also added four triples and had a game high 18 points as the Mercury are in 4th place with the New York Liberty with both teams at 22-14.

“We need to be better on defense, that’s the main thing,” Salaün said. “We need to be more connected on defense. The last three games we were not ourselves.”

Despite the loss, Golden State is still in the hunt. The Valkyries are now in the eighth and final playoff spot but only ½ a game ahead of the Los Angeles Sparks.

“Moving forward, against Dallas there are no slow starts,” Nakase said. “There is no ‘hang my head or oops I didn’t have the energy.’ We’re going to correct it and watch film as a team and be ready for Dallas.”

UP NEXT

• Golden State finishes the two-game road trip, visiting the Dallas Wings on Sunday, August 24 at 1 p.m. on KPIX+, KMAX, 95.7 FM and the Audacy App.
• For tickets, news, and more team updates, visit valkyries.wnba.com.