Mercury storm back from 13-point deficit to edge Valkyries

Alyssa Thomas scored 15 of her season-high 25 points in the fourth quarter, Kahleah Copper scored 27 points before fouling out, and the host Phoenix Mercury overcame a 13-point second-half deficit to beat the Golden State Valkyries 91-89 on Wednesday.

DeWanna Bonner had 17 points and 10 rebounds, her second double-double of the season, and Thomas was just short of her second straight triple-double with nine rebounds and eight assists.

The Mercury (11-18), who trailed 71-62 early in the fourth quarter, have won three in a row in a belated playoff push after reaching the WNBA Finals last season.

Cecliia Zandalasini scored 16 points and had three 3-pointers, Veronica Burton scored 15 points and Janelle Salaun added 13 for the Valkyries (19-9), who entered the All-Star break having won 13 of 16 but have lost their last two.

The Valkyries won the first two of the three-game season series.

Golden State leading scorer Gabby Williams missed the game while "reconditioning," the team said. She is averaging 14.8 points and 1.7 steals per game.

Kaila Charles had 10 points and 10 rebounds while starting in her place.

The Valkyries had 40 bench points, led by Salaun's 13 and Laeticia Amihere's 12.

Golden State led 71-62 early in the fourth quarter before Thomas keyed an 11-0 run for the Mercury's first lead of the second half. Thomas had a 3-point play, Valeriane Ayayi hit a layup on a Thomas assist and Thomas followed with a layup for a 73-71 lead with 5:11 left.

The Valkyries rallied to tie the game at 82-82 on Kayla Thornton's 3-pointer with 1:36 remaining before Bonner made two free throws with 1:27 left. Thornton was called for a foul while boxing out on Bonner's second free throw, and Ayayi hit the ensuing free throw for an 85-82 lead.

Thomas' shot made it 87-82 lead before Salaun made four of five free throws to close to 87-86 with 19.8 seconds left.

Bonner's two free throws with 15.3 seconds remaining extended the lead to 89-86.and she made another 11.5 seconds after a Valkyries turnover.

Salaun made all three free throws after being fouled on a deep 3-pointer with 5.6 seconds left to make it 90-89. Bonner made one more free throw with 4.3 seconds left and the Valkyries could not control a final rebound.

Phoenix made 32 of 43 free-throw attempts. Bonner was 9 of 12 and Ayayi was 8 of 10. Golden State was 15 of 19.

--Field Level Media