SAN FRANCISCO — For a second, it appeared just like the Valkyries have been going to tug off the unattainable.
Down 4 factors with 15 seconds left, Golden State miraculously tied the sport after rookie Janelle Salaün hit a fading 3-pointer and a fall away jumper to tie the sport at 77 with simply over six seconds left.
However in a vital defensive possession, the Valkyries received discombobulated and fouled Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas on the rim with one second left. Thomas went on to hit certainly one of two free throws to present the Mercury a 78-77 win.
In entrance of its eleventh consecutive sellout crowd of 18,064, the enlargement staff shot 33.8% from the sector. Golden State has now misplaced 4 of its final 5 video games.
Veronica Burton had a team-high 17 factors. Tiffany Hayes had 15 factors and Salaün had 12.
DeWanna Bonner led Phoenix with 22 factors. Thomas completed with 17 factors, 11 assists and 6 rebounds.
The Mercury have been with out star gamers Satou Sabally (proper ankle) and Kahleah Copper (proper hamstring), who have been out with accidents.
Regardless of having some early offensive struggles, the Valkyries went into the fourth quarter down only a level.
A 3-pointer from Burton on the 5:23 mark of the ultimate interval briefly gave the Valkyries a 67-63 lead. The Mercury rapidly retook the momentum with a number of well timed pictures and led by one level with 1:27 left within the sport.
Down three with 23.6 seconds left, the Valkyries had yet one more alternative to tie the sport. The Valkyries drew up a drive to the rim for ahead Cecilia Zandalasini, however the Italian sharpshooter missed a calmly contested shot on the rim.
Salaün scored 5 factors in a four-second span to tie the sport. On the Valkyries remaining defensive possession, Hayes slipped on a display screen, forcing the protection to rotate, which in the end led to Thomas getting fouled on the rim.
The Valkyries discovered themselves in a 10-point gap simply three minutes into the primary quarter, however recovered to complete the interval robust. Golden State went on a 18-1 run led by a flurry of 3s from Hayes that gave the Valkyries a four-point lead going into the second quarter.
Hayes got here into Monday’s sport capturing 57.9% from past the arc in her earlier 5 video games.
Golden State’s sizzling capturing cooled down within the second quarter as they shot 4-for-21 within the interval.
Regardless of capturing 39.3% from the sector within the first half, Phoenix dedicated 9 turnovers and struggled to cease Hayes, who had 9 first half factors.
The Valkyries will return to the street on Wednesday after they play the Seattle Storm. Golden State will then get pleasure from a nine-day hiatus because the All-Star sport is scheduled for Sunday in Indianapolis.
Kayla Thornton is the Valkyries’ lone All-Star.
