Underdog Lynx recover from a 17-point disadvantage to clinch the series against Valkyries
The Minnesota Lynx pulled off a dramatic comeback against the Golden State Valkyries in their first-round WNBA playoff series, securing a hard-fought 75-74 victory.
In a game filled with high-stakes plays and nail-biting moments, the Valkyries built a double-digit lead thanks to their exceptional shooting from beyond the arc. They finished the game 11-of-22 from three-point range, with all five of their starters making at least one three-pointer. Veronica Burton, in particular, was impressive, connecting on 3-of-6 from deep and contributing 13 points, six rebounds, and nine assists.
However, the Lynx refused to give up. Trailing by 17 points in the second quarter, they slowly chipped away at the deficit. A pivotal moment came in the fourth quarter when Kaila Charles scored a triple as part of a 5-0 run. Napheesa Collier, who led the Lynx with a game-high 24 points on 10-of-16 shooting, hit a long baseline jumper with 1:24 remaining to give Minnesota the lead for good.
Courtney Williams, who finished the game with 6 points and 7 assists, added another 17-foot jumper in the final minute to keep the Valkyries within reach. But it wasn't enough, as the Lynx held on to secure the victory.
The Lynx's early lead in the first quarter was lost, but they finally regained it with 2:48 remaining in regulation. Bridget Carleton contributed 12 points for Minnesota, while DiJonai Carrington scored 11 points off the bench.
If the Lynx advance, they could potentially face the New York Liberty in the next round, pending the result of the Liberty's game against the Phoenix Mercury. A potential rematch of the 2024 WNBA Finals could be on the horizon.
This story was written by a partner news agency of Forum Communications Company, which uses content from various news agencies, including Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service, and others. To learn more about the news services Forum Communications Company uses, visit here.
