The Minnesota Lynx met the Golden State Valkyries at a packed Chase Center in San Francisco on Sunday night. Fortunately for the Lynx, they didn’t leave their hearts there, and although they came away with the win, there is much work to do.
The Valkyries, even as an expansion team, played an excellent first half of basketball. Combined with the absence of Minnesota’s championship caliber defense and lackluster shooting, it appeared as though this could be the first loss for Minnesota. Golden State played a more intense and focused game, led by Veronica Burton, who scored a team high 21 points. Kate Martin and Kayla Thornton also reached double figures for the Valkyries, scoring 14 and 11 respectively.
But Golden State, in the first half, played team basketball, and the Lynx did not. While the Valkyries had their own shooting woes, they led in fast break points and points in the paint. They out rebounded Minnesota 38 – 35 but turned that ball over 15 times to 11 for Minnesota.
A Different Second Half Between Minnesota and Golden State
As well as Golden State played in the first half was as poorly as they played in the second. Minnesota, after what was most likely a high spirited talk from coach Cheryl Reeve, came out and held the Valkyries to 8 third quarter points. However, they scored only 17, giving them a 68 – 60 lead going into the fourth quarter. The Lynx held the Valkyries to one point for the first four minutes while building a 22 point lead, but with a three by Veronica Burton at the 5:25 mark, Golden State fought back, and went on a 14 – 3 run to bridge the gap. Impressive, but not enough, and the Lynx came away with the win 86 – 75.
7 IN A ROWWWWWWW. pic.twitter.com/qcYy3bnORN
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) June 2, 2025
Golden State has quality veterans on the roster, and although they are an expansion team, they are a team with experience and pedigree. Temi Fagbenle, Cecilia Zandalasini, and Stephanie Talbot are former Lynx players, Julie Vanloo brings a wealth of experience from playing with the Belgian National team and the Washington Mystics. Burton was drafted No. 7 overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings, and both Kayla Thornton and Monique Billings have spent quality years in the W.
Kate Martin was drafted by Las Vegas in 2024, and even though in her second year, shows why the Aces picked her and subsequently Golden State.14 points in 19 minutes shows why. While completely stymied by Minnesota in the third quarter, the Valkyries looked like a team that just needs a lot more time playing together.
What seems to be plaguing Minnesota is an inability to start a game playing their brand of basketball. They have played catch up too many times in this young season. Alanna Smith was held scoreless and took only one shot. Jessica Shepard scored only three free throws, going 3 – 6 at the line. Napheesa Collier led the team with 24 points, with Courtney Williams scoring 20, Kayla McBride 16, and Bridget Carleton 12. Carleton has yet to find her form from last season, and both Smith and Shepard had uncharacteristically poor games offensively.
What’s Next for the Lynx and Valkyries?
Golden State has a lot going for them. Experience, passion, talent. They need time. Minnesota needs to get back to what they know they can do. Come from behind wins are not their style. Simply winning isn’t enough. They need to win from the start, not in the fourth quarter. They know how to do that.
Up next for the Valkyries is a trip to Phoenix on Thursday to take on the Mercury. Before that, the Mercury will head to Minnesota for a game Tuesday. The Lynx had another come from behind win in Phoenix. Let’s see what Minnesota will have learned in 48 hours.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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