Overview

• The Mercury beat Golden State 81-72 at PHX Arena, their second win over the Valkyries this week.
• Golden State fell to 18-18 with eight games remaining and now holds the WNBA’s final playoff spot.
• Tiffany Hayes collided with Kahleah Copper in the third quarter, exited with a left knee injury and did not return.
• The Valkyries were without Cecilia Zandalasini because of a calf injury, Carla Leite left with an ankle issue, Iliana Rupert played through knocks, and Janelle Salaün scored a team-high 15.
• Alyssa Thomas finished with 13 points, 12 rebounds and 16 assists, Monique Akoa Makani scored 18, and Golden State dropped to 2-14 against the league’s top five teams; the club also signed Kaila Charles to a rest-of-season hardship deal that ends when Monique Billings returns.