Unsung hero in a crucial victory in Mercury

San Francisco – Monique Aquaia Makani may not get glitz and glamor to work her teammates. However, Phoenix Mercury Rookie was constant throughout the season.

Tuesday marked the first time she went out of the bench after starting each match. After the knee question that kept his side on the side of the week, it felt it was more precautions.

Still, the first 20 minutes of basketball did not look good for her and Phoenix against the golden state of Walkeriries.

Even at 3:57 times, if Makani played in the first half, she felt a deficiency. Regardless, he knew alive that the old can return.

One shot for combating balls, which are on the attack, as well as communicating and getting the defense. Someone who saw this for the entire fourth quarter was Kahleah copper.

She saw Aka Makani game of the entire fourth quarter, in which the living surpassed Walkiries, 30-18. Despite only scoring six points, her defense also carried copper touched more at IT postgame.

Kahleah Bakar praised the defensive effort of Monique Aqua Makani in the second half.

“She did an amazing job. He played me with the ball and she just kept her. She succeeded, at the attack, the guard, so we wouldn’t have to be in rotation.” pic.twitter.com/sdm7dughb

– Haiden Cillei (@ Haidenci) 20. August 2025

“I think we did an amazing job. We were stalking her over the ball. She came up with their job. She did an amazing job.” She did an amazing job. “She did an amazing job, she did so easily for everyone else around her.

“She could, at the point of attack, the guard, so we wouldn’t be in rotation. We really needed it, but really at the defensive end, but really on defensive finish, but really on defensive finish it will be great time.

Monique Aquaia Makani was X-Factor Mercury vs Valkiries

Her main task, Veronica Burton, got the best of her in the first half, or even the first three quarters. The latter had twice twice and sliced that Foeniks defense was separated separately.

Once the end of the tail and the fourth, he felt like a different atmosphere. Burton went 1-3 in that quarter, but he found him if, Makani.

It was something in the main coach of Nate Tibbetts She would know how to happen. There was simply a question when. Although there weren’t many rhythms, he knew it was needed for Ifa Makani, he got the opportunity to happen something.

Monique Akoa Makani played all 10 minutes in fourth after she got off the bench.

I asked Nate Tibbetts as her defensive influence caused a return.

“(I) wanted me to give her another opportunity in the second half. It’s Mo, we know. It is necessary.” pic.twitter.com / ostvv09jks

– Haiden Cillei (@ Haidenci) 20. August 2025

“In the first half, when she entered, she didn’t play at the level she needed,” Tibbetts said. “She missed the game, so I didn’t know where her rhythm was.

“I wanted to give her another opportunity in the second half. It’s the mo who we know. It’s the mo who needs a tone of our defense when competing at that level.”

Mercury had an elite defense against Walks in the second half

After renouncing 59 points in the first half, the match on Tuesday was definitely the story of two halves. Allowed only a combined 32 points in the last two frames.

For example, the Golden State had 31 points in the first quarter.

The Mercury must return to those defensive principlesAnd something they will have to have against Las Vegas Aces on Thursday. Tibbetts called the first half ’embarrassing’ and didn’t look too satisfied when talking about it.

However, they will have a much higher task facing the aces and at Wilson. Anyway, the presence of Ako Makana proves her value, especially on the defensive side.

It could be an X-factor that will help in which live is built on these consistent habits.