Alyssa Thomas secured a dramatic win for the visiting Phoenix Mercury by sinking the second of two free throws with just one second left on the clock, pushing the Mercury to a narrow 78-77 victory over the Golden State Valkyries on Monday night. This Alyssa Thomas game-winning free throw ended a frantic finale after the Valkyries had rallied to tie the game in the closing seconds.
Valkyries Fight Back in Final Moments
The Golden State Valkyries, aiming to avenge an earlier defeat against Phoenix, sparked a late comeback after trailing by four points with 15.1 seconds remaining. Janelle Salaun hit a quick three-pointer, followed by a 17-foot jumper within four seconds, with a free throw from DeWanna Bonner between those two plays contributing to the rally.
Salaun’s tying basket arrived with only 6.1 seconds left, setting the stage for Phoenix’s last possession. After calling a timeout to advance the ball, the Mercury found Thomas driving toward the basket, who drew a foul on a close-range shot attempt. Despite missing the first attempt, she calmly made the second free throw, giving Phoenix their final edge.
Strong Performances Drive the Mercury’s Win
DeWanna Bonner led the Mercury with 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Thomas contributed 17 points and a team-high 11 assists, as both players recorded double-doubles. The Mercury claimed their third consecutive win despite being short-handed, playing with only eight available players due to injuries.
Veronica Burton stood out for the Valkyries, scoring a team-high 17 points and providing six assists. However, the Valkyries suffered their fourth loss in five games, unable to maintain their late surge.
Key Plays Spark Mercury’s Late Lead
Trailing 69-66 with under five minutes remaining, Thomas ignited the comeback by scoring consecutive baskets and assisting Bonner on a layup, which put Phoenix ahead 75-72 with 51.1 seconds to play. Kathryn Westbeld added 14 points, most from long-range, converting 4-of-8 three-pointers. Her teammates Bonner, Monique Akoa Makani, and Sami Whitcomb also contributed multiple three-pointers, combining for 12-of-29 shooting beyond the arc (41.4 percent) for Phoenix.
Valkyries’ Shooting Threats Keep the Contest Tight
The Valkyries hit 14 of 33 three-point attempts (42.4 percent), led by Burton’s 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting from deep. Tiffany Hayes added 15 points, including four three-pointers in five attempts. Janelle Salaun finished with 12 points, and Monique Billings contributed 10 points and nine rebounds, leading her team in boards.
Closing Impact and What Lies Ahead
This hard-fought victory highlights the resilience and depth of the Phoenix Mercury, even when their roster is limited by injuries. With Alyssa Thomas stepping up under pressure, the team looks poised to build momentum heading into upcoming games. Meanwhile, the Valkyries will need to regroup after a tough stretch, seeking to improve their consistency as the season progresses.