PHOENIX — Rookie Lexi Held achieved a personal best by scoring 24 points, while Satou Sabally contributed 19 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and handed out five assists, helping the Phoenix Mercury secure a victory over the Golden State Valkyries with an impressive 18-1 closing run, triumphing 86-77 on Thursday evening.
Phoenix trailed 76-68 with 4:04 remaining.
Held gave the Mercury a critical lead of 77-76 with just 1:11 left on the clock, thanks to a long-range 3-pointer. After Golden State managed only one successful free throw out of two attempts, Sabally grabbed the rebound off her own missed shot and scored while drawing a foul. She successfully converted the free throw, completing a three-point play and extending the margin to 80-77 with 33.3 seconds to go.
Veronica Burton of Golden State missed a clear layup at the opposite end, and Sabally was fouled before calmly knocking down two free throws, pushing the Mercury ahead by five points. The Valkyries then committed turnovers on their subsequent inbound situations, and the Mercury capitalized by hitting four consecutive free throws to secure the win.
Held was 7 for 15 from the field, including 4 for 9 behind the arc, and 6 for 6 at the free-throw line for the best scoring output by a rookie this season, passing Paige Bueckers’ mark of 21.
Phoenix (6-3) improved to 5-1 at home — a franchise best to begin a season.
Sami Whitcomb added nine points before fouling out late for Phoenix, which was without starters Kahleah Copper (left knee) and Alyssa Thomas (left calf).
Burton led Golden State (2-5) with 16 points, going 9 for 11 at the free-throw line. Temi Fagbenle had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Kayla Thornton, Cecilia Zandalasini and Julie Vanloo each scored 10.
Jersey swap
Megan McConnell, sister of NBA guard T.J. McConnell, was wearing his No. 9 Indiana Pacers jersey on the bench after getting injured in Phoenix’s loss to Minnesota on Tuesday. He was seen arriving at the NBA Finals wearing her No. 16 Mercury jersey.
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