Alyssa Thomas added to her all-time WNBA record for triple-doubles on Friday and the host Phoenix Mercury completed a season sweep of the Golden State Valkyries in an 81-72 decision.
Thomas finished with 13 points, 16 assists and 12 rebounds for her 17th career regular-season triple-double and fifth this month. She was one of five Mercury players to score in double-figures, a quintet that included DeWanna Bonner with 14 points off the bench.
Bonner knocked down a pair of 3-pointers during a pivotal third-quarter run when Phoenix (22-14) outscored Golden State 17-7.
The Mercury carried the burst into the fourth quarter, building a lead of as many as 20 points. Phoenix put the game away with lockdown defense down the stretch, holding Golden State (18-18) scoreless for nearly four minutes late in the final period.
The Valkyries went without a field goal for more than five minutes in that stretch. Golden State pulled to within single-digits thanks to a late flurry that included Kate Martin scoring the game’s final seven points.
The garbage-time push was a rare offensive burst on a night that the Valkyries shot only 25 of 67 from the floor overall and 8 of 31 from 3-point distance. Phoenix, meanwhile, went 28 of 64 from the field and a crucial 14 of 32 from outside.
Monique Akoa Makani led all scorers with 18 points for Phoenix. She shot 6 of 9 from the floor, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range, to match Bonner’s touch from beyond the arc. Satou Sabally added 12 points and Kahleah Copper scored another 12 points.
Janelle Salaun led Golden State with 15 points. Veronica Burton, who also dished eight assists, was the only other Valkyries scorer in double figures with 11 points.
The loss was the third straight for Golden State, which was without Cecilia Zandalasini (calf) and Monique Billings (ankle). With Seattle routing Dallas on Friday, the Valkyries fell a half-game behind the Storm and into the eighth and final playoff slot.
Phoenix, meanwhile, moved into a tie for fourth place with New York, which was idle on Friday.
–Field Level Media
