Golden State ValkyriesvsPhoenix Mercury
GS 89/PHX 91
Things to say
Phoenix edged Golden State 91-89 at home.
01
opener
Man, Phoenix stole one. Two-point game, came right down to the wire. The Valkyries had it and let it slip.
02
key player
Kahleah Copper dropped 27 and carried them. She was getting buckets whenever they needed one.
03
hot take
Golden State's the better team and they know it. Losing to an 11-18 club is the kind of L that stings in October.
04
deep cut
Alyssa Thomas quietly ran the show with 8 dimes, and Bonner cleaned the glass with 10 boards. That's the stuff that wins close ones.
05
exit
Valkyries are still 19-9 though, so I ain't worried about them long-term. On to the next one.
The recap
Phoenix pulled off the upset, knocking off a Golden State squad that came in way hotter at 19-9 and sending them home with a 91-89 heartbreaker. Kahleah Copper was the engine all night, dropping 27 and carrying the load when Phoenix needed buckets.
The Valkyries never got much going offensively — nobody topped 16, and Cecilia Zandalasini's 16 just wasn't enough to keep pace. Two-point game down the stretch, and the Mercury made just enough plays to steal one they probably weren't supposed to win.