Date, Time, Location: Sunday, September 14th, 10:00am PDT, Target Center (Minneapolis)
Broadcast Information: ESPN, KGMZ (radio), multiple affiliates (opposition’s local markets radio)
The Golden State Valkyries will play their first playoff game on Sunday when they face the Minnesota Lynx for the second game in a row and for the third time in four games with at least one more upcoming matchup. The three game losing streak to end the regular season dropped the Valkyries into this matchup against the top seed and a team that is on a championship mission after their close loss in the Finals last year. Defeating them twice to cause a massive upset would be difficult, but given that Golden State has defied expectations all season long just to get to this point, they will certainly give their best effort in trying to accomplish that.
The Valkyries
There is no additional players news for the Valkyries, which means no return for Tiffany Hayes. The good news is that Iliana Rupert, who limped off of the court on Thursday, is not listed on the injury report. Golden State has already been shortening their rotation to close the regular season so it remains to be seen how many players will come off of bench early after only playing eight players in the first half in the last game and limiting the minutes. Cecilia Zandalasini played 22 minutes even though she still struggled with her shot and any help on offense will be greatly appreciated after issues in that area throughout the last game.
The Opposition
The Valkyries have certainly gotten their taste of how tough an opponent that Minnesota is, having lost all four of the meetings in the regular season, including the two meetings in the last week. The Lynx have played tight rotations to secure wins in the recent games, but are expected to get DiJonai Carrington after she had missed four games with a shoulder injury, which would give Minnesota a bench option on the wing. This is not a game where the Lynx are making seats available in the entire arena.
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