The Phoenix Mercury lost to the Golden State Valkyries 95-79 in their second game of the 2026 WNBA season. This follows their victory against the Las Vegas Aces, resulting in a split to start the season.
Key points
Mercury lost to Valkyries 95-79
Phoenix split their first two games of the season
Valkyries outscored Mercury in the second and fourth quarters
Mercury committed 17 turnovers in the game
Mercury previously upset the defending champion Aces
Phoenix MercuryGolden State ValkyriesLas Vegas Aces
Mercury fall at Golden State in 2nd of back-to-back to open 2026 season
The Phoenix Mercury couldn't make it two in a row to start the WNBA season Sunday, May 10, but they'll likely be happy with a split after falling to the Golden State Valkyries, 95-79, a day after upsetting the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces.
The Valkyries battered the Mercury with a 20-11 second quarter that made the score 48-31, but Phoenix battled back, outscoring Golden State 31-18 in the third quarter.
The Valkyries put the game away with a 29-17 fourth quarter, however, and forced 17 Mercury turnovers while committing only 10.
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (right) drives against Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton (5) during the first quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury forward-guard DeWanna Bonner (24) dribbles against Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) during the first quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.
Q&A
What was the final score of the Mercury vs. Valkyries game?
The final score was 95-79 in favor of the Golden State Valkyries.
How did the Mercury perform in their opening games of the 2026 season?
The Mercury split their opening games, winning against the Las Vegas Aces and losing to the Golden State Valkyries.
What were the key moments in the Mercury vs. Valkyries game?
The Valkyries dominated the second quarter 20-11 and sealed the game with a strong fourth quarter, outscoring the Mercury 29-17.
How many turnovers did the Mercury commit against the Valkyries?
The Mercury committed 17 turnovers during the game against the Valkyries.
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Phoenix Mercury guard Jovana Nogic (29) gestures after making a three-point basket against the Golden State Valkyries during the first quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) commits an offensive foul against Golden State Valkyries guard-forward Kaila Charles (left) during the first quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (right) passes against Golden State Valkyries forward Laeticia Amihere (3) during the first quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.
Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun (13) dribbles against Phoenix Mercury guard Kiana Williams (23) during the first quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts reacts during the first quarter against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.
Golden State Valkyries guard-forward Kaila Charles (top) forces a jump ball against Phoenix Mercury forward-guard DeWanna Bonner (bottom) during the second quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury guard Jovana Nogic (29) shoots against Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) and guard-forward Kaila Charles (6) during the second quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts reacts after a foul call during the second quarter against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury forward-guard DeWanna Bonner (right) drives against Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) during the second quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury fall to Golden State Valkyries. Photos
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (right) drives against Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton (5) during the first quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury fall to Golden State Valkyries. Photos
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (right) drives against Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton (5) during the first quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury fall to Golden State Valkyries. Photos
Phoenix Mercury forward-guard DeWanna Bonner (24) dribbles against Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) during the first quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.
3 / 11
Phoenix Mercury fall to Golden State Valkyries. Photos
Phoenix Mercury guard Jovana Nogic (29) gestures after making a three-point basket against the Golden State Valkyries during the first quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury fall to Golden State Valkyries. Photos
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) commits an offensive foul against Golden State Valkyries guard-forward Kaila Charles (left) during the first quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury fall to Golden State Valkyries. Photos
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (right) passes against Golden State Valkyries forward Laeticia Amihere (3) during the first quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury fall to Golden State Valkyries. Photos
Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun (13) dribbles against Phoenix Mercury guard Kiana Williams (23) during the first quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury fall to Golden State Valkyries. Photos
Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts reacts during the first quarter against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury fall to Golden State Valkyries. Photos
Golden State Valkyries guard-forward Kaila Charles (top) forces a jump ball against Phoenix Mercury forward-guard DeWanna Bonner (bottom) during the second quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury fall to Golden State Valkyries. Photos
Phoenix Mercury guard Jovana Nogic (29) shoots against Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) and guard-forward Kaila Charles (6) during the second quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury fall to Golden State Valkyries. Photos
Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts reacts after a foul call during the second quarter against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury fall to Golden State Valkyries. Photos
Phoenix Mercury forward-guard DeWanna Bonner (right) drives against Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) during the second quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.
Janelle Salaun finished with 21 points off the bench to lead Golden State, while Kayla Thornton and Gabby Williams scored 19 points apiece.
Alyssa Thomas led the Mercury with another strong game, scoring 19 points on 5-of-9 shooting while hitting 9 of 12 from the free throw line. She added eight rebounds and a game-high 11 assists.
Jovana Nogic, in her first season with Phoenix, had another big game, making 5 of 6 field goal attempts, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range, to finish with 16 points.
The Mercury return to Arizona for their home opener on May 12, against the Minnesota Lynx.
