WNBA expansion teams usually don't get off to good starts, but the Golden State Valkyries are rewriting that narrative.

All-Star Alyssa Thomas scored a career-high 29 points and took over down the stretch to help the Phoenix Mercury pull away for a 79-71 home win over the WNBA-best Minnesota Lynx

Monday's game will be the first time the Dream and Valkyries play each other. The Dream are currently 5th, with an 11-7 record.

The Atlanta Dream (11-7) hosts the Golden State Valkyries (9-8), with both teams coming off losses and looking to build some momentum.

While securing a win over Caitlin Clark and the Fever was nice, Valkyries guard Veronica Burton set career milestones in the contest too.

Heading into the match-up, the No. 6 Valkyries have a 9-7 record, and the Lynx are 15-2, a record that puts them at the top of the WNBA.

The Valkyries aren't just racking up moral victories. They're picking up real ones and the stats say they're a serious playoff threat.

Golden State Valkyries guard Kate Martin beat former teammate Caitlin Clark and the Fever in front of fans who waited years to see them play.