The Minnesota Lynx punched their ticket to the WNBA playoff semifinals.
The No. 1-seeded Lynx overcame a 17-point deficit to defeat the No. 8 Golden State Valkyries 75-74 in Game 2 on Wednesday at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. With the win, the Lynx advance to the semifinals for the second consecutive year and will face the winner of the Phoenix Mercury and New York Liberty series, which will be decided Friday.
‘I just happy we got the dub,’ Lynx forward Bridget Carleton, who scored 12 points on four 3s, said. ‘It’s hard to play in this arena, they play hard. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.’
Lynx forward Napheesa Collier made a go-ahead 18-footer with 1:24 left and finished with a game-high 24 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Kayla McBride added 18 points and four rebounds, including a layup that gave the Lynx a 71-70 lead with 2:48 remaining. It was Minnesota’s first lead since the first quarter.
The Valkyries had a shot to win the game. Cecilia Zandalasini missed a buzzer-beating jumper that would have forced a Game 3. Monique Billings had 15 points off the bench, while Zandalasini and Janelle Salaun each finished with 14 points. The Valkyries shot 50% from the 3-point line in the loss.
Here’s what you need to know for Game 2 between the Valkyries and Lynx:
End of Q3: Valkyries 63, Lynx 49
Ten minutes separates the Golden State Valkyries from their first franchise playoff win. The Valkyries have an 14-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Four Valkyries players have scored 10 or more points, lead by 14 points from Janelle Salaun. Veronica Burton and Monique Billings each added 13 points, while Cecilia Zandalasini has 10 points and five rebounds. The Valkyries are collectively shooting 50% from the 3-point line.
Napheesa Collier has a game-high 17 points, five rebounds and two assists, while Kayla McBride is up to 12 points. The Valkyries’ persistent defense has prevented the Lynx from finding their offensive rhythm. Minnesota is shooting 38.5% from the field and 5-of-23 from the 3-point line.
Halftime: Valkyries 41, Lynx 28
The SAP Center at San Jose is rocking as the Golden State Valkyries have a 13-point lead over the league-leading Minnesota Lynx heading into halftime. The Valkyries held the Lynx to nine second-quarter points.
Golden State is firing on all cylinders. Seven Valkyries have scored and five different players have hit at least one 3-pointer. Not only are the Valkyries shooting 55.2% from the field and 63.6% from the 3-point line, Golden State has recorded five steals, two blocks and forced the Lynx into eight turnovers, which the Valkyries have converted to 13 points. Janelle Salaun has a team-high nine points, while Monique Billings has eight points off the bench.
Napheesa Collier has a game-high 10 points and three rebounds for the Lynx. Kayla McBride, who scored seven points in the first quarter, was held scoreless in the second quarter. The Lynx are 2-of-13 beyond the arc.
End of Q1: Valkyries 27, Lynx 19
The Minnesota Lynx jumped to a 5-0 start, but the Golden State Valkyries went on a 10-2 run to take the lead. Golden State has an eight-point lead heading into the second quarter.
Veronica Burton, the WNBA’s Most Improved Player, leads the Valkyries with six points. Janelle Salaun added five points, while Monique Billings had four points off the bench. The Valkyries are shooting a staggering 83.3% from the 3-point line and 66.7% from the field.
Kayla McBride has a team-high seven points and one steal and said the Lynx must play better perimeter defense against the Valkyries moving forward. Napheesa Collier added five points. The Lynx are 2-of-8 from 3.
What time is Minnesota Lynx at Golden State Valkyries?
The Golden State Valkyries host the Minnesota Lynx at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at SAP Center at San Jose in San Jose, California. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
How to watch Minnesota Lynx at Golden State Valkyries: TV, stream
- Time: 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT)
- Location: SAP Center at San Jose (San Jose, California)
- TV channel: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN+, Disney+, Fubo (free trial to new subscriber
Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx starting lineups
Minnesota Lynx starting lineup
Head coach: Cheryl Reeve
- 6 Bridget Carleton | F 6′ 2′ – Iowa State
- 8 Alanna Smith | F 6′ 4′ – Stanford
- 10 Courtney Williams | G 5′ 8′ – South Florida
- 21 Kayla McBride | G 5′ 11′ – Notre Dame
- 24 Napheesa Collier | F 6′ 1′ – UConn
Golden State Valkyries starting lineup
- 6 Kaila Charles | G 6′ 1′ – Maryland
- 12 Iliana Rupert | C 6′ 4′ – France
- 13 Janelle Salaun | F 6′ 2′ – France
- 22 Cecilia Zandalasini | F 6′ 2′ – Italy
- 22 Veronica Burton | G 5′ 9′ – Northwestern
Golden State Valkyries Natalie Nakase named Coach of the Year
She is going to need her best coaching job of the season to beat the Lynx. Minnesota is 5-0 against Golden State this season.
Golden State Valkyries feeling at home
The Valkyries know the way to San Jose.
Valkyries guard Veronica Burton wins WNBA Most Improved Player
When All-Star Kayla Thornton was lost to a right knee injury in mid-July, many wondered if the Golden State Valkyries would be able to continue on a postseason pace.
In stepped Veronica Burton, who lead the Valkyries in nearly every statistical category – points (11.9), assists (6.0), steals (1.1) and blocks (0.6) – and on Monday, Sept. 15, she was named the WNBA Most Improved Player. Burton’s game is well-rounded, demonstrated by the fact she’s one of five players to average at least 10 points, 5 assists and 1.5 made 3-pointers a game, joining Kelsey Plum, Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu and Skylar Diggins.
Minnesota Lynx arrives in San Jose
The Lynx are ready looked read to get down to business and advance.
Valkyries in their home away from home
The Valkyries are playing at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, and the Caltrain is here for it.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
