The Minnesota Lynx coasted to a 101-72 win over the Golden State Valkyries in the first round of the 2025 WNBA playoffs.
MVP contender Napheesa Collier led by example, finishing with 20 points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal. Teammates Kayla McBride (17 points) and Natisha Hiedeman (18 points) were offensive sparks as well.
Minnesota was equally good on defense. The Valkyries shot 33.9 percent overall and 29 percent from beyond the arc, and their 16 turnovers turned into 16 points for the Lynx.
Cecilia Zandalasini and Veronica Burton (14 points) were the joint-leading scorers for their team.
The Valkyries started strong out of the gate and led by as many as 10 points midway through the first quarter. Golden State’s hot shooting couldn’t continue forever, though, and Minnesota jumped back in front with 4:51 left in the second quarter.
By halftime, the Lynx were up 47-40 after having limited Golden State to 12 points in the second quarter. The No. 1 overall seed was beginning to flex its muscle.
The third quarter was more of the same as the gap between the Valkyries and Lynx widened. Sometimes a playoff series comes down to one team having more talent than the other.
As good as Golden State performed during the regular season, it lacks shotmakers at the level of Collier or Courtney Williams.
This best-of-three series could be over in short order on the basis of Game 1.
Under the new 1-1-1 format in the first round, the Valkyries will get to host Game 2 on Wednesday. Golden State won’t have the luxury of playing in it usual home, though. Scheduling conflicts at Chase Center forced the franchise to adopt SAP Center in San Jose as a temporary postseason staging ground.
The Valkyries will hope their electric “Balhalla” atmosphere follows them south to San Jose. They need a raucous setting to help level the playing field against a superior opponent.
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