Down by as many as 17 points in the third quarter, the Lynx clawed back to beat Golden State, 75-74, on Wednesday, holding off the Valkyries in the final seconds to sweep their first-round WNBA playoff series, 2-0, at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif.
Napheesa Collier scored 24 points and hit a go-ahead 18-footer with 1:24 remaining to lift top-seeded Minnesota into the second round.
Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride (21) shoots over Golden State Valkyries guard Carla Leite (0) 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)
The Valkyries had one final chance with four seconds remaining following a shot-clock violation, but Cecilia Zandalasini missed a pull-up jump shot at the buzzer.
Collier shot 10 for 16 from the field 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.
Kayla McBride put the Lynx up 71-70 with a scoop shot 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 finished 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 loss Sunday at Target Center. Wednesday’s game was played at the San Jose Sharks’ arena in San Jose because the Laver Cup tennis showcase had booked Chase Center before Golden State had even been granted an expansion team.
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.
But it’s the Lynx that are moving on after losing a controversial Game 5 against the New York Liberty, 67-62, last fall. Minnesota finished with the league’s best regular-season record, 34-10 — a franchise record that tied the 2023 Las Vegas Aces for the WNBA record.
Game 1 of the second-round series against the winner of the New York-Phoenix series is set for noon Sunday at Target Center.
Minnesota Lynx forward Jessica Shepard (15) tries to maintain possession of the ball while defended by Golden State Valkyries forward Monique Billings (25) and guard Kaila Charles (6) 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. Vasquez)
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