The Golden State Valkyries continued their road trip on Monday by visiting the Minnesota Lynx. It was the second battle in less than a week between the top two teams in the standings and there was even more at stake for the Valkyries as they tried to end a losing streak. Offense was hard to come by early in the game, but the defense kept Golden State in it and gave them good transition opportunities to take the lead. They maintained the edge and then built on their advantage in the second half, eventually getting a bigger margin and the 80-66 first ever win over the Lynx.
The Lineup
There was no late player news for the Valkyries, so everyone was available and they opted to activate Miela Sowah, but not Ashten Prechtel, for this game. The rotation was ten players in the first half again, although the super smallball lineups were tried early again. All players ended up playing once the result was decided. Minnesota did not activate their developmental player and opted to keep their positional balance with an enforced change to the starting lineup, bringing in Maya Caldwell at shooting guard. They opted to play more players than had been in their usual rotation early to try to find the right mix.
First Quarter
Minnesota scored the first basket of the game after both teams had early misses and then scored again as the Valkyries could not convert on some decent opportunities. They got to the free throw line next, prompting early Golden State substitutions, but the Lynx made a three-pointer next. Tiffany Hayes finally ended the early drought with a layup and then found Veronica Burton for a layup on the next trip down the floor, which was the last score before the media timeout.
The Lynx got back to the free throw line when action resumed and Cecilia Zandalasini got her first basket. Minnesota scored again, but Janelle Salaun scored deep in the paint as the tallest Valkyries player on the court. The Lynx continued to push their height advantage at the other end only to see Hayes slice through for another layup. Salaun got a steal and then eventually got the ball back in the post for another basket, but Minnesota answered with a three-pointer. Burton responded with the first Golden State make from distance. Salaun helped the Valkyries take a surprise 17-16 lead with a fastbreak layup before the buzzer.
Second Quarter
Both teams had some early empty trips in this quarter too as Minnesota struck first with a three-pointer. Kaitlyn Chen ended the cold streak with an open three-pointer in the corner and Kaila Charles made a fast break layup after another Gabby Williams steal. The Lynx tied the score with an open three-pointer though to prompt a Golden State timeout, also connecting when the action continued.
Tiffany Hayes continued her strong start with a three-pointer to tie the score back. Williams restored the lead with an extremely tough make before the shot clock expired and perimeter defense led to a Burton midrange jumper in transition. Cecilia Zandalasini made the next basket to force the Minnesota timeout, which got them set up for a three-pointer when they got the ball back. They stopped the clock again to challenge an out-of-bounds call to get the ball back. Williams made an open three-pointer at the top of the key. The Lynx continued to challenge on the interior late, cutting the margin to 34-32 at the break.
Third Quarter
The work in the post continued for Minnesota to start the half as they tied the game, but Cecilia Zandalasini set up another jumpshot on the first Valkyries possession. The Lynx tied the game at the free throw line before Zandalasini got the first Golden State attempts and made them both. Tiffany Hayes returned to score on another drive and Zandalasini made another tough shot. Minnesota did answer and then the game came to halt when the Valkyries challenged a foul call on Hayes, which was successful, but still had the Lynx getting the ball back and scoring.
Hayes got fouled on the other end and made two free throws, but the Lynx did get a basket from former Valkyries player Chloe Bibby. Kiah Stokes scored her first basket on a putback and Hayes extended the lead to a new high after a three-pointer. Minnesota got closer at the free throw line, but Janelle Salaun’s three-pointer had them taking a timeout. Gabby Williams made it a double-digit game briefly with another basket before the shot clock expired as the Lynx headed back to the foul line. They scored again, but Williams got a free throw for the last point of the quarter and a 55-48 lead.
Fourth Quarter
Janelle Salaun made an open three-pointer from the corner on the first possession of the quarter. Minnesota got their first points on free throws and then headed back there as Golden State took an early timeout. Veronica Burton returned and made a three-pointer that the Lynx answered before she scored on the drive next. Minnesota suddenly was firing away from distance, but it was Burton seizing the initiative again with a midrange jumper. Gabby Williams extended the lead with a three-pointer and then it was Cecilia Zandalasini’s turn before a Lynx timeout.
Minnesota got back to the free throw line, but Zandalasini made it from long-range again right before the shot clock expired, which later had to be confirmed by replay review. The Lynx emptied their bench at that stoppage as Williams got a free throw on the next foul. Zandalasini scored when they got their next stop, but Minnesota did make a pair of three-pointers before Golden State could get their bench in after another Williams three-pointer as the final margin was 80-66.
Player of the Game
This was a win that required contributions from a number of players to seal the deal so some other factors will be in consideration too as Tiffany Hayes gets the honor for this game. There were a lot of basketball reasons for the win, including stifling defense and persisting with the plan even though there were struggles early. On a team where most of the players have very steady on-court personalities, she entered the game and brought in something different in terms of attitude, absolutely battling in the post when defending taller players, not backing down against the opposition, and even arguing with the referees up to the border of picking up a technical foul. When the offense struggled early, the bench was turned to immediately instead of waiting and she had a score and assist quickly. She also had a big basket in the second quarter and came back in the second half to deliver more points on an efficient night as the lead increased.
The Verdict
This was a big win in terms of finally being able to say that the Valkyries have defeated the Lynx and for the standings after the last two losses. The team was at risk of burning through their entire margin to hold on to their seed, but now have some breathing room again. The rest of the road trip will be tough with a back-to-back and starting to deal with player absences, but second place is still a realistic goal. Defense was key again for the team, but the offense did come through when it needed to and it was a great team win.
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