The Valkyries’ first-round playoff stage is about.
After falling to the Minnesota Lynx 72-53 within the common season finale on Thursday, the Valkyries dropped to the No. 8 seed and can keep within the Land of a Thousand Lakes for Recreation 1 beginning on Sunday.
The Lynx have been by far one of the best crew within the league this season, ending with a 44-10 report. Golden State have been swept within the common season sequence by Minnesota in video games that weren’t significantly shut.
The Lynx will likely be searching for their fifth WNBA title, setting the report for essentially the most championships by a franchise in league historical past. Minnesota was within the finals final season, however fell to the New York Liberty in 5 video games.
Right here’s a breakdown of the Valkyries’ first-round opponent:
Who’re the Lynx’s high gamers?
Minnesota is led by MVP candidate Napheesa Collier, who has averages of twenty-two.9 factors, 7.3 rebounds and three.2 assists whereas taking pictures 53.1% from the sphere and 40.3% from the 3-point line.
However whereas Collier calls for many of the opposing protection’s consideration, the Lynx have a plethora of choices to go to.
Guard Kayla McBride is a two-way ahead, who’s averaging 14.4 factors per recreation on 40.1% from the 3-point line. The backcourt duo of Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, also referred to as the StudBudz, are shifty, powerful shot-making guards that may get scorching in a rush.
The Lynx even have probably one of the best on-ball defender within the league in former Stanford standout DiJonai Carrington coming off the bench. Alanna Smith, Jessica Shepard and Bridget Carleton are all complimentary gamers that match Minnesota’s system nicely.
Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx makes an attempt a bounce shot within the fourth quarter towards Iliana Rupert #12 of the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Middle on Sept. 6, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: Consumer expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or utilizing this {photograph}, Consumer is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Pictures License Settlement. (Picture by Kavin Mistry/Getty Pictures)
What do the Lynx do finest?
Effectively, nearly every part.
The Lynx entered Thursday’s recreation towards the Valkyries with the very best scoring offense at 86.4 factors per recreation. Minnesota averages essentially the most assists (23.4) whereas main the league in discipline purpose (47.3%) and 3-point share (38%).
The Lynx additionally boast the league’s finest protection as they’ve one of the best defensive ranking within the league. Minnesota’s opponents turned the ball over a mean of 15.4 instances per recreation scoring beneath 80 factors per recreation.
Natisha Hiedeman #2 of the Minnesota Lynx dribbles the ball baseline within the third quarter towards Kate Martin #20 of the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Middle on Sept. 6, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: Consumer expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or utilizing this {photograph}, Consumer is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Pictures License Settlement. (Picture by Kavin Mistry/Getty Pictures)
Season sequence
The common season sequence wasn’t significantly shut with the Lynx, who took all 4 video games, together with two by comfy margins within the closing week of the season.
Within the first three video games, Golden State stored issues considerably aggressive till the ultimate quarter the place Minnesota’s star energy grew to become an excessive amount of. In 4 video games towards the Valkyries, Collier has averaged 21.2 factors and 6.5 rebounds.
The Lynx together with the Phoenix Mercury are the one groups that the Valkyries haven’t overwhelmed within the common season.
Napheesa Collier #24 and Courtney Williams #10 of the Minnesota Lynx have a good time a basket within the third quarter towards the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Middle on Sept. 6, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: Consumer expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or utilizing this {photograph}, Consumer is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Pictures License Settlement. (Picture by Kavin Mistry/Getty Pictures)
High storylines
– Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes has missed the final eight video games with a knee damage. Coach Natalie Nakase stated the veteran guard labored out earlier than Thursday’s recreation, however didn’t say whether or not she will likely be able to play within the playoffs.
– Cecilia Zandalasini returned from a calf damage in Tuesday’s loss to the Seattle Storm that sidelined her for eight video games. She performed simply 5 minutes on Tuesday, however Nakase ramped up the Italian sharpshooter towards the Lynx as she performed 22 minutes and scored eight factors.
– Iliana Rupert walked off the court docket limping towards Minnesota early within the fourth quarter. She didn’t return.
– Collier recorded a 50-40-90 season, becoming a member of Elena Delle Don as the one gamers in league historical past to shoot a minimum of 50% from the sphere, 40% from the 3-point line and 90% on the free throw line.
– Minnesota will go into the playoffs profitable six of its final 10 video games. The Valkyries misplaced three straight to finish the common season.
Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Collier (24) dribbles towards Golden State Valkyries’ Monique Billings (25) within the fourth quarter on the Chase Middle in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, June 1, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)
