Shorthanded Valkyries run out of gas against star-studded Mercury

SAN FRANCISCO A chaotic pregame frenzy that saw two regular Valkyries starters listed as last-second scratches predated a chaotic barnburner against the high-powered Mercury Golden State with only eight players available lost to Phoenix - at Chase Center in the third matchup between the teams jockeying for playoff positioning The Mercury seeded fourth have now won all three games against the seventh-seeded Valkyries Veronica Burton continued to stuff the stat sheet at point guard putting up an efficient points and assists while surprise starter Kate Martin put in points Janelle Salaun scored and Carla Leite threw in Kahleah Copper led the Mercury with points while Satou Sabally put up points and triple-double machine Alyssa Thomas had points eight assists and nine rebounds Golden State led - after three quarters but the loaded Mercury were too much for the home squad in the fourth Phoenix outscored the Valkyries - over the last minutes But the drama began long before tipoff Only a minimal hours after coach Natalie Nakase called Tuesday s matchup a must-win veteran guard Tiffany Hayes was held out for rest purposes Hot-shooting forward Cecilia Zandalasini went through warmups but was replaced in the starting lineup by Kate Martin and did not appear on the bench The Italian perimeter sportsman was ruled out with a left calf strain midway through the first quarter Centers Monique Billings left ankle sprain and Iliana Rupert concussion were already unavailable for the crew fighting for postseason seeding Golden State led - at halftime and - at halftime in front of the association s th consecutive sellout in San Francisco The Valkyries are now seventh in the playoff standings with eight games left Golden State - will have two days to rest up before it hits the road and plays a rematch with the Mercury in Phoenix