The Minnesota Lynx secured a 77-66 victory over the Golden State Valkyries in San Francisco on Wednesday. This win ended a six-game winning streak for the Valkyries and kept Minnesota's perfect record against the expansion franchise intact.
The 0-8 psychological barrier for Golden State
The Golden State Valkyries remain winless against the Minnesota Lynx,a trend that continued following their recent matchup at Chase Center. As the report notes, the Valkyries have now faced an 0-8 record against Minnesota, a deficit that includes both regular-season losses and a previous playoff sweep.
This matchup featured two of the league's most dominant squads, with the Valkyries sitting at 25-10 and the Lynx holding a 30-7 record. While Golden State has already secured a postseason berth,the game served as a stark reminder of the gap between a high-performing expansion team and the league's current pacesetters.
Olivia Miles and Napheesa Collier's defensive masterclass
Minnesota's defensive discipline allowed them to control the tempo from the opening minutes of the game. Olivia Miles contributed 20 points and seven assists for the Lynx before an injury forced her to leave the court, while Napheesa Collier added 18 points in her 10th game since returning from a serious left ankle injury.
The Lynx defense consistently protected the paint, forcing Golden State into difficult perimeter shots . According to the game summary,the Valkyries struggled significantly with efficiency, shooting only 4 of 17 in the first quarter and making just one attempt from three-point range during that period. Kayla McBride provided critical late-game scoring to ensure the Lynx maintained their lead during the Valkyries' final push.
A 21-point deficit and the Valkyries' late 11-0 surge
Golden State demonstrated significant resilience by overcoming a massive 21-point deficit during the second half. Led by Veronica Burton, who scored 14 points, the Valkyries mounted an aggressive 11-0 run in the fourth quarter that briefly brought them wihtin seven points of the lead.
The home crowd at Chase Center provided a surge of energy as the Valkyries began to win more loose balls and rebounds. However, the team's early offensive struggles—entering halftime with only nine field goals on 37 attempts—proved too much to overcome against a composed Minnesota squad.
Uncertainty over the health of Kaila Charles and Olivia Miles
Medical concerns emerged for both rosters during the high-intensity contest. Reserve forward Kaila Charles had to leave the game after making contact with an eye, and Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase stated that she did not yet have an update on the severity of that injury. Additionally, the exact nature and recovery timeline for Olivia Miles' injury remain unverified, leaving questions about her availability for upcoming Lynx matchups.
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