The Phoenix Mercury split their first road trip of the season, losing to the Golden State Valkyries 95-79 in San Francisco. Alyssa Thomas led the team in a challenging back-to-back matchup.
May 10, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) dribbles against Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams (left) during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
SAN FRANCISCO — It was a different type of game for the Phoenix Mercury on the second night of a back-to-back, as they fell to the Golden State Valkyries, 95-79.
May 10, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun (13) dribbles against Phoenix Mercury guard Kiana Williams (23) during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
After Phoenix battled through an emotional and high-energy matchup Saturday against the Las Vegas Aces, the Mercury ran into a different style against the Valkyries, who fed off the home crowd on opening night. dominated on both ends of the floor, including opening up an 18-point lead in the first half.
The Phoenix Mercury lost to the Golden State Valkyries with a score of 95-79.
Alyssa Thomas was a key player for the Phoenix Mercury during the game.
The Phoenix Mercury had a split record on their first road trip, winning one game and losing the other.
The Phoenix Mercury played the Golden State Valkyries on May 10, 2026.

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Despite falling behind early, Phoenix regained momentum to start the second half and cut the deficit to a one-possession game by the end of the third quarter. Eventually, the Valkyries took advantage of Mercury foul trouble and continued applying defensive pressure to seal the win.
May 10, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; 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. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said the atmosphere and physical toll eventually caught up with his team late in the loss after coming into San Francisco only 24 hours removed from being in Las Vegas the day before.
“I thought we battled back and did that,” Tibbetts said. “Maybe we just kind of ran out of gas a little bit, but this is a tough place to play, especially on opening night.”
While the loss stings, Phoenix heads back home 1-1 to start the season, something Tibbetts acknowledged he was “happy” with.
The stretch brought a lot for the Mercury to work on, but also plenty to celebrate.
Alyssa Thomas secured her first double-double this season and flirted with a triple-double, while Natasha Mack hit her first career 3-pointer. Jovana Nogic scored double figures in her first two career games, and Noemie Brochant and Kiana Williams continued to show they can be lethal shooters from the bench.
May 10, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward-guard DeWanna Bonner (right) drives against Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) during the second quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The response in the third quarter also could become important as the Mercury continue to build chemistry and consistency during the opening stretch of the season. It offered an early reminder that WNBA games can demand different approaches from night to night, while also providing positives that go beyond the record.
The Mercury now head home for their opening night in a rematch of the 2025 WNBA Semi-Final series against the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday, May 12, at 7 p.m.