Golden State Valkyries’ Veronica Burton (22) celebrates her 3-point basket against the Phoenix Mercury in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

By Michael Villanueva

SAN FRANCISCO – After Golden State’s 0-2 road trip in their last couple of games, the Valkyries hosted the Phoenix Mercury Tuesday evening, who came into this game on a two game winning streak. What makes the Phoenix’s two game winning streak more impressive is that those two wins were on the road. So Mercury was feeling confident coming into Ballhalla. However, Golden State thrives on its home-court energy and will take the win, 87-81. This was another sellout for Golden State, making it their 30th sellout in Franchise history, and the team is also now 5-2 at home.

Valkyries are coming back from Las Vegas, where on Saturday they faced off against the Aces but lost 84-79. This loss made the team enter a two game losing streak, and it would now have a 1-2 record in the Commissioner’s Cup. Golden State’s Gabby Williams scored a career-high 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting for the team.

In the team’s second home game for the Commissioner’s Cup, Golden State sent out Kayla Thornton, Gabby Williams, Kiah Stokes, Cecilia Zandalasini, and Veronica Burton. Burton, in the last game, had 15 points, as did Kayla Thornton, dropping ten points in the last game. The Valkyries came into this game wanting to shake off those road trip losses and take advantage of the home court energy.

Phoenix Mercury sent out Noemie Brochant, Alyssa Thomas, Natasha Mack, Kahleah Copper, and Monique Akoa Makani as their starters to continue their road games winning streak. In their last game, the Mercury was in Portland shorthanded on players. The team was out with their starters, Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper, due to injuries. However, Mercury would find a way and would be led by DeWanna Bonner, with a season-high 19 points. So with their starters returning, Mercury was ready for gameday in the Bay.

Golden State’s Veronica Burton would get the game going with a 13-foot floater as the Valkyries strike first. Then Phoenix’s Monique Akoa Makani makes a 24-foot running three-point jump shot to respond to Burton’s floater. In fact, Golden State’s first five points were all by Veronica Burton. Burton would end the first quarter with nine points for Golden State. The Valkyries would hold the lead at 22-18.

Halfway through the second quarter, Golden State would turn up the heat on Phoenix and build momentum to take the lead. Burton would continue to get buckets, as she made a 26-foot three-pointer to give Golden State a nine point lead. Then, Valkyries, Gabby Williams would get back-to-back buckets to fall for her, as she extends the lead to 13 points, 40-27. Golden State would have themselves a 27 points in the second quarter alone, compared to Phoenix’s low 14 points in the second.

At halftime, Golden State got itself a 17-point lead. Valkyries were up 49-32, and led by Veronica Burton’s 19 points and three assists. She would also get help from Gabby Williams, who had ten points and two rebounds for the team.

The third quarter was all Phoenix as they were able to turn things around after their bad shooting performance in the second quarter. Mercury would have themselves a 29-point third quarter, putting all their efforts to come back from behind and continue their winning streak. Halfway in the third, Phoenix Monique Akoa Makani would have a season high 14 points and going. From a 17-point lead to just a five point lead, Golden State is hanging on at 66-61 going into the final quarter.

Gabby Williams would get the fourth quarter going with a quick, inside floater for Golden State. Holding a seven point lead, Phoenix’s DeWanna Bonner would hit a 30-foot three-point jumper to cut the lead to four points. Then, after a quick timeout, Phoenix’s Kahleah Copper would make a three-pointer and, cutting the lead to two points, 74-72. Mercury would cut the lead to just one point, 76-75, with three minutes left. However, a big three-pointer from Golden State’s Kayla Thornton with two minutes left would ultimately hold off the Mercury.

Valkyries would secure the win on their home court, 87-81. Golden State’s Veronica Burton and Gabby Williams both would have 25 points in this game. They both would combine for 50 points in the win. Along with Kayla Thornton’s 12 points and four rebounds. The Valkyries lead the league in bench production, which was a big factor in their win as well.

After a quick two day rest coming up for Golden State, they’ll head on to the road to Seattle will they’ll face off against the Storm, who are 3-10 in the season so far. The two teams will play each other on Friday evening at 7 p.m. on ION. This game will be another feature of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup, as the teams enter the last couple of games of the Cup. The Valkyries are currently holding a 2-2 record in the Cup.