Alyssa Thomas secures her 6th triple-double of the season as Mercury beat Valkyries 81-72
PHOENIX (AP) — Alyssa Thomas had 13 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high-tying 16 assists for her 17th career triple-double, and the Phoenix Mercury beat the Golden State Valkyries 81-72 on Friday night.
Thomas secured her sixth triple-double of the season on a rebound with 8:59 remaining in the fourth quarter, and she assisted on Monique Akoa Makani’s 3-pointer at the other end for a 71-56 lead. Thomas tied her 2023 record for the most triple-doubles by a WNBA player during a single season.
Akoa Makani had a team-high 18 points with four 3-pointers for Phoenix (22-14). DeWanna Bonner also made four of the Mercury’s 14 3s and scored 14 points. The Mercury were coming off an 83-61 loss at Las Vegas on Thursday — its lowest scoring game of the season.
Janelle Salaun led Golden State (18-18) with 15 points and Veronica Burton had 11 points and eight assists. Tiffany Hayes had a violent collision with Kahleah Copper with 7:17 left in the third quarter and did not return.
Salaun scored 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting in the first half, but the rest of her Golden State teammates combined to go 6 for 26 to trail 41-31.
Thomas made a shot in the lane to cap a 9-1 run for a 64-50 lead with 1:33 left in the third. Thomas found Bonner alone in the corner for a 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left in the frame for a 67-54 advantage.
___
News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Join the Conversation!
Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
