Overview
- Veronica Burton scored 25 points and dished eight assists while Gabby Williams added 25 as the Valkyries beat the Mercury 87-81 Tuesday night.
- Golden State built a 49-32 halftime lead after shooting 57.1 percent in the first half and used that cushion to withstand a Phoenix comeback.
- Alyssa Thomas played through a left-calf issue and finished with 22 points, nine assists and eight rebounds for Phoenix.
- Phoenix's 16 turnovers translated into 17 Golden State points and were the chief factor that kept the Mercury from completing a comeback.
- The result stops Phoenix's recent two-game winning run and reinforces Golden State's home defensive identity under coach Natalie Nakase as both teams head to road games and prepare to meet again in Phoenix on July 29.