Playoff defeat for Valkyries in thrilling fashion: Historic season culminates with narrow loss against top-seeded Lynx in WNBA championship battle
The Minnesota Lynx staged a thrilling comeback in Game 2 against the Golden State Valkyries, securing a 75-74 victory and advancing to the semifinals.
For most of the game, the Valkyries held the upper hand, thanks to their dominant performance. The team from California was particularly impressive from beyond the arc, going 7 of 11 in the first two quarters. At halftime, they had a commanding 41-28 lead, which was the fewest points scored by the Minnesota Lynx in a first half during their 2025 campaign.
However, the momentum shifted after halftime. The Lynx opened the third quarter with an impressive 11-0 run, setting the stage for a thrilling second half.
The Valkyries responded with a bucket from Cecilia Zandalasini, but the Lynx continued to push. Kayla McBride scored a crucial two-pointer, giving Minnesota a 71-70 lead with just 2:48 remaining in the game. Courtney Williams then made a clutch jump shot with under 30 seconds remaining, extending the Lynx's advantage to 73-70.
The Valkyries fought back, outscoring Minnesota, 11-11, in the final minutes of the game, but it wasn't enough. With time running out, the Lynx held a 75-74 advantage.
McBride intentionally committed a foul with 2.8 seconds on the clock, giving the Valkyries one final opportunity. However, they did not foul, and Minnesota was called for a shot clock violation with four seconds left, securing the Lynx's victory.
The Lynx defense held on despite Golden State having possession again, and the final buzzer sounded, signalling a dramatic comeback victory for Minnesota.
Napheesa Collier, who led the Lynx with 23 points and 10 rebounds, was proud of the team's performance. "We've been in tough situations before, and we know how to respond," she said. "I'm proud of the way we fought back and got the win."
The Valkyries ended their season with a gritty performance that will be remembered for a long time. They made history as the first expansion team in WNBA history to make the playoffs. Head coach Natalie Nakase, who was named the 2025 WNBA Coach of the Year, gave credit to Golden State for their competitive play.
Meanwhile, Veronica Burton received Most Improved Player honors this week. The Minnesota Lynx will now face the winner of the New York/Phoenix series in the semifinals. The SAP Center in San Jose, where Game 2 was played, was sold out despite the Golden State Valkyries not being able to host at Chase Center due to a conflict of schedule. The WNBA playoffs continue to deliver exciting and competitive games, and fans can look forward to more action in the coming weeks.
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