LAS VEGAS (Interstat) — The Golden State Valkyries, owners of the WNBA’s best record, aim to extend their dominance Wednesday night when they face the struggling Phoenix Mercury at Michelob Ultra Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. PDT. Golden State (19-8) enters as a 5.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 159.5. The Valkyries have won two of their last three games but are coming off a 90-82 home loss to Washington on Monday. Kaitlyn Chen scored 20 points and added six assists in 24 minutes in that defeat. Chen, a guard, has been a key contributor off the bench. Over her last five games, she has averaged 12.4 points and 3.2 assists while shooting efficiently. Her best performance came July 15 at Indiana, when she scored 14 points in 10 minutes. Phoenix (10-18) has lost five of its last six but showed signs of life Wednesday with an 86-82 win over Los Angeles. Forward Alyssa Thomas recorded her second triple-double of the season in that game, finishing with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 15 assists. Thomas has been the Mercury’s engine. In her last three outings, she has averaged 14.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 10.7 assists. She also recorded 19 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds in a 104-100 loss to Minnesota on July 13. Golden State has won both previous meetings this season, beating Phoenix 87-81 on June 9 and 95-79 on May 10. The Valkyries lead the all-time series 2-0. Phoenix will look to slow Chen and guard Veronica Burton, who had 12 points and seven assists in Monday’s loss. Forward Kayla Thornton added 15 points and three rebounds. For Phoenix, guard Kahleah Copper scored 21 points in the win over Los Angeles, and forward DeWanna Bonner added nine points and seven rebounds. The game is part of a neutral-site event in Las Vegas. Both teams face busy schedules ahead: Golden State plays Toronto twice starting Aug. 2, while Phoenix hosts New York on Aug. 1 before a five-game road trip.