We would call tonight’s matchup a Clash of Eras. On one side, we have: the Phoenix Mercury, one of the WNBA’s OG eight franchises, introduced in 1997, who are the holders of three championships. On the other hand, the Golden State Valkyries, the league’s newest expansion team, who are making waves in their debut 2025 season as the 13th franchise. This is only their second-ever meeting, but don’t be surprised if it evolves into a full-blown regional rivalry. A Southwest vs West Coast clash.
And fittingly, the hardwood will glow in purple tonight. But only one team will leave shining. Who might that be? Let us break it down for you…
Where to Watch the Exciting Golden State Valkyries vs Phoenix Mercury
Date: 15 July, Monday
Time: 10:00 PM ET (Eastern Time)
Venue: Chase Centre, San Francisco, California
For the folks wishing to watch it on cable services, you can choose ION, MNMT, or NBA TV, with Pat Boylan (play-by-play) and Debbie Antonelli (analysis). For viewers who are willing to opt for streaming services, this game can be watched using the WNBA League Pass, Amazon Prime US, Fubo, SlingTV, and YouTube TV.
The Injury Report
Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase can approach tonight’s matchup with rare peace of mind. Because, for once, an entire WNBA franchise roster is present and healthy. The Valkyries are the only team this season to hit that full-strength milestone for long. Across the court, though, it’s an entirely different story.
Phoenix Mercury:
Lexi Held (G): Out (Pneumothorax)
Satou Sabally (F): Out (Right Leg)
Kahleah Copper (G): Out (Right Hamstring)
The Mercury’s top scorer, Kahleah Copper, is still out after she strained her right hamstring during her 33-point game in a recent loss to Dallas. There was some hope she might be back for the previous matchup vs. the Lynx, but since she hadn’t fully recovered, she continues to be sidelined. And that pattern will continue today as well.
Moreover, Sabally has started limited practices, but she is still wearing a boot on her right leg. Head coach Nate Tibbetts has her listed as day-to-day, so her status for the game is up in the air. And as we know by now, Lexi Held is out indefinitely, after she got diagnosed with a pneumothorax.
Predicted Starting Lineup
Golden State Valkyries:
Kayla Thornton- #5 (MIN 30.0, REB 7.2, AST 1.4, STL 1.5, BLK 0.2)
Janelle Salaun- #13 (MIN 23.8, REB 5.1, AST 1.2, STL 1.0, BLK 0.2)
Temi Fagbenle- #14 (MIN 25.0, REB 5.5, AST 1.9, STL 1.2, BLK 0.7)
Tiffany Hayes- #15 (MIN 26.2, REB 3.8, AST 2.7, STL 0.5, BLK 0.2)
Veronica Burton- #22 (MIN 20.8, REB 4.1, AST 5.4, STL 1.2, BLK 0.5)
Phoenix Mercury:
Alyssa Thomas- #25 (MIN 30.7, REB 7.5, AST 9.5, STL 1.6, BLK 0.4)
Kathryn Westbeld- #24 (MIN 20.0, REB 3.2, AST 1.2, STL 1.0, BLK 0.9)
Natasha Mack- #4 (MIN 15.7, REB 5.1, AST 0.6, STL 1.1, BLK 1.2)
Sami Whitcomb- #33 (MIN 26.4, REB 3.6, AST 2.5, STL 0.9, BLK 0.2)
Monique Akoa Makani- #8 (MIN 20.8, REB 2.1, AST 2.7, STL 1.0, BLK 0.1)
How Things Might Look: Golden State Valkyries vs Phoenix Mercury
The last time these two teams faced off, the Phoenix Mercury pulled off a wild one. Lexi Held exploded for 24 points, and Satou Sabally iced the game late with a clutch three-point play. That huge 18-1 closing run shocked the Valkyries and ended up being one of Phoenix’s biggest wins. But things look different this time. Held, Sabally, and Kahleah Copper are all out with injuries, leaving the Mercury without their three leading scorers from that victory. Surprisingly, ESPN’s Matchup Predictor still favors Phoenix slightly at 52.2%, compared to Golden State’s 47.8%.
The reason you ask? Alyssa Thomas is still out there. She is averaging 9.5 assists and 7.5 rebounds per game. Add in Sami Whitcomb’s veteran presence and Monique Akoa Makani’s steady contributions, and this is still a squad built to win low-scoring battles. Meanwhile, Golden State is coming in with a completely healthy roster. It’s something no other WNBA team can claim right now. Kayla Thornton is leading the way with 14.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, while Veronica Burton is distributing at a team-best 5.4 assists per contest.
Statistically, Phoenix outscores (84.6 PPG vs. GS’s 80.3) and outshoots (43.5% FG vs. 40.9%) Golden State, but the Valkyries dominate the glass. They also gave the Mercury a serious fight last time, even while dealing with injuries. This should be a tight, physical matchup. Stay tuned to see how it goes.
The post Golden State Valkyries vs Phoenix Mercury: Injury Report, Starting-5, Prediction, and More On WNBA Preview appeared first on EssentiallySports.