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WNBA: Golden State Valkyries at Minnesota Lynx – Report From Section 111

Originally posted on Beyond Women's Sports
By Martin Ruben | Last updated Jul 6, 2025 11:36 AM ET

The Golden State Valkyries may be an expansion team, but however an expansion team is supposed to play, they do not. They are a legitimate and competitive team. Fans witnessed them at Target Center where they were welcomed in by the Minnesota Lynx.

From start to finish, the Lynx and the Valkyries played a well paced and exciting game. There were no lulls, each team had their runs, and the shooters shot. Tiffany Hayes led all scorers with 23, followed by Kayla Thornton with 13 and Stephanie Talbot with 10 for Golden State. Napheesa Collier led Minnesota with 22, with Courtney Williams adding 15 and Kayla McBride with 12.

The Valkyries opened the game with a Kayla Thornton three, followed immediately by a three from McBride. From there it was back and forth, with the Valkyries taking a slight lead. Minnesota leveled, pulling ahead. Also, the Valkyries took a few points off the lead to end the quarter with Minnesota up 25 – 18.

The Lynx opened to a 10-point lead two minutes into the second quarter on a layup from Collier. However, the Valkyries kept it close with a full team effort, taking the quarter 18 – 16. At halftime, the score was 41 – 36 in favor of Minnesota.

A Tale Of Two Quarters Between The Valkyries And Lynx

The Valkyries came out swinging in the third quarter. With 4:42 remaining, they took a two point lead on a Stephanie Talbot layup. Collier hit a pair of free throws to tie. From there, the Lynx slowly added points, ending the quarter on a 15 – 6 run to take a nine-point lead going into the fourth.

In a low scoring final quarter, Minnesota opened to its largest lead of 15 points, ending with a winning score of 82 – 71. At no time did Golden State back off, although both teams looked a bit gassed in the final frame. This game was by and large a game for the starters. In this game, not an abundance of minutes for the bench players. The competitive nature of each team kept the starters in, and on both sides, acquitted themselves admirably.

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It is more than evident that the Valkyries are a well coached team. Head coach Natalie Nakase has assembled a group of seasoned vets and a couple of rookies who are markedly up to the task. They do have their moments when something doesn’t quite click, but so does every other team. They currently sit in sixth place, a half game above Indiana and a full game above Las Vegas.

What’s Next For Golden State And Minnesota

After a disappointing loss to Indiana in the Commissioner’s Cup, the Lynx, did a quick turn around, winning against the Mystics and now the Valkyries. The sad news was that prior to the game, Karlie Samuelson has been ruled out for the remainder of the season for Minnesota with an ankle injury.

A stalwart off the bench, Samuelson’s absence may give some more time to Diamond Miller, Alissa Pili, and Maria Kliundikova all of whom have shown their capabilities this season. Jessica Shepard is likely to pick up some more time as well. With Shepard and Alanna Smith on the floor together, it would give Minnesota a little more height and protection at the rim.

Up next for the Valkyries is another road game, this time in Atlanta on Monday. The Lynx have a quick turnaround and meet the Chicago Sky Sunday. Deep breath and do it again.

And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.

This article first appeared on Beyond Women's Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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