By The Epoch Times | Created at 2026-08-25 10:12:03 | Updated at 2026-09-03 16:16:48
1 week ago
The Golden State Valkyries found a fitting opportunity to beat the first-place Minnesota Lynx for the first time ever on Monday, 80–66.
Minnesota (31–8), winners of four WNBA titles, had a 7–0 record against the second-year expansion team going into Monday. Golden State (26–11) sits just four games back of the Lynx, which made at least the semifinals the past two years.
“It was about us just focusing on the attention to detail,” Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase told reporters afterward. “We talked about bringing a different game plan. We did it all four quarters.”
Minnesota won the previous two meetings by double figures after a close contest on June 4, when the Lynx beat them 87–84. In the Valkyries’ inaugural season in 2025, Minnesota won three of the four matchups by double figures, and Golden State lost 78–72 in that one.
They met in the playoffs last year, as the Valkyries completed a 23–21 first season. Minnesota swept the series with a 101–72 win in Game 1 and a 75–74 victory in Game 2.
“So this is a huge leap for us, again, trying to prepare to be at our best for the playoffs,” Nakase said about Monday’s win. “And then keeping that team to 66 [points], that’s a very, very talented team. They’re number one for a reason, so just really proud to keep them to 66.”
Minnesota jumped out to an 8–2 run, but Valkyries guard Veronica Burton broke that run with a layup. Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes then closed the gap to three points, 13–10, on a layup, and forward Janelle Salaun cut it to a point, 13–12, with a fadeaway jump shot in the post.
Leading 20–19 in the second quarter, the Valkyries created a turnover, which set up an easy layup for guard Kaila Charles, 22–19.
Forward Gabby Williams made it 27–25 when she hit a jumper over two defenders. The Valkyries went into the locker room up 34–32.
Early in the third quarter, forward Cecilia Zandalasini got her team going with a long jump shot for a 36–34 lead. Hayes then stretched the lead to 49–42 on a three-pointer with 2:56 left in the quarter. Salauan stretched it further with another three, 52–44, and the Valkyries entered the fourth quarter up 55–48.
Burton pushed the lead to double figures again with a three-pointer in the early going of the fourth quarter, 61–51. Zandalasini then made it 71–57 with 4:39 left on a three-pointer.
Minnesota didn’t have answers down the stretch, as the Lynx lost at home for the sixth time this season. The Lynx shot 36 percent from the field, and the slight edge on rebounds, 32-31, couldn’t make up the distance.
Golden State kept Lynx guard Napheesa Collier in check with just nine points on 4-10 shooting, but she had seven rebounds and two assists. Only forward Natasha Howard and guard Kayla McBride reached double figures with 13 and 12 points respectively.
“There was no dip tonight. A lot of times we dipped, but kept punching, and we stayed within the mentality of emptying the tank all four quarters,” Nakase said.
Golden State had a balanced effort offensively as Zandalasini led the way with 18 points on 7-17 shooting in addition to her two steals, a rebound and an assist. Four other Valkyries players finished in double figures, including two off the bench.
Williams scored 15 points on 5-15 shooting, and she added five rebounds and three assists. Burton added 14 points on 6-11 shooting plus four rebounds, nine assists, and five steals.
Hayes also had 14points on 5-8 shooting, and she added three rebounds, four assists, and a steal. Salaun had 12 points on 5-11 shooting, and she had five rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
Golden State will continue its quest to lock up the No. 2 seed or better with the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday.
