Collier scores 24 points as No. 1
seed Lynx beat Valkyries 75-74 to advance in WNBA playoffs
[September 18, 2025]
By JANIE McCAULEY
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Napheesa Collier made a go-ahead 18-footer
with 1:24 left on the way to 24 points, and the top-seeded Minnesota
Lynx rallied from a 17-point, third-quarter deficit to beat the
Golden State Valkyries 75-74 on Wednesday night and move on in the
WNBA playoffs.
Collier shot 10 for 16 and followed up her 20-point performance in
Game 1 with a 14-point second half to bring her team back — and give
the Lynx another chance to keep chasing that championship they just
missed last year.
The Valkyries had one final chance with four seconds remaining
following a shot-clock violation, and Cecilia Zandalasini couldn't
convert a jumper.
Kayla McBride made a go-ahead scoop shot for Minnesota with 2:48 to
go after DiJonai Carrington connected on a 3-pointer from the left
corner with 3:18 remaining to pull Minnesota within 70-69. McBride
wound up with 18 points
Veronica Burton had 13 points, nine assists, six rebounds and four
steals as the expansion Valkyries nearly extended their special
season. Monique Billings scored 15 points off the bench.
Carrington banked in a 3-pointer with 8:30 left that got the Lynx
within 63-56 and McBride's jumper made it a five-point game at the
7:19 mark before Golden State called timeout. The Valkyries
immediately committed a shot-clock violation and McBride scored
again.
The Valkyries, cheered by their raucous sellout crowd of 18,543,
were in control for much of the game — unlike their 101-72 Game 1
defeat Sunday.
Billings rebounded her own miss just before the third-quarter
buzzer, scored and converted a three-point play to put Golden State
ahead 63-49 going into the final 10 minutes. But Minnesota kept
creeping back.
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Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) shoots next to Golden
State Valkyries forward Cecilia Zandalasini during the first half of
Game 2 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs Wednesday,
Sept. 17, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
After the final buzzer, fans chanted “GSV!” to
celebrate a season in which Golden State made WNBA history by
becoming the first expansion franchise to reach the playoffs in its
inaugural season.
And the Valkyries were unfazed playing in an unfamiliar venue for
their first postseason home game. That “Balhalla” home-court
advantage had to relocate nearly 50 miles south to the NHL San Jose
Sharks’ SAP Center because the Laver Cup tennis showcase had booked
Chase Center before Golden State had even been granted an expansion
team.
Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski was one of the biggest supporters,
sitting courtside with owner Joe Lacob and Warriors President
Brandon Schneider.
Golden State lost all four regular-season meetings, three by double
figures, so this one will both sting and show these women how close
they are. Starting center Temi Fagbenle was a late scratch Wednesday
because of right knee pain.
Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase was recognized before the game as
WNBA Coach of the Year and Burton the league's most improved player.
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