Napheesa Collier scored 20 points to lead five players in double figures and the Minnesota Lynx breezed to a 101-72 victory over the Golden State Valkyries on Sunday in Game 1 of the best-of-three first-round WNBA series.
Collier hit 7 of 11 shots with a 3-pointer and all five of her free throws, adding six rebounds.
Natisha Hiedeman made two 3-pointers and scored 18 for the Lynx, while Kayla McBride added 17. Jessica Shepard had 12 points and eight rebounds and Courtney Williams pitched in with 11 points and four steals.
Veronica Burton and Cecilia Zandalasini both scored 14 to lead Golden State. Burton added seven assists and three steals but also had seven of the Valkyries’ 16 turnovers. Janelle Salaün had 13 points and eight rebounds and Temi Fágbénlé scored 12 before fouling out.
Burton hit two 3-pointers for Golden State in an 11-4 run to start the game and the Valkyries led 28-21 after one quarter.
McBride had two baskets in a 12-3 run to begin the second period and Minnesota moved in front 33-31. McBride had 14 points by halftime and Collier scored 11 for a 47-39 lead.
Alanna Smith hit a 3-pointer with 8:47 left in the third quarter for a 52-42 advantage and Minnesota led by double digits the rest of the way. DiJonai Carrington sank two 3-pointers and Williams hit one in the final 70 seconds as the Lynx took a 79-58 lead into the final period.
The Valkyries are still looking for their first win over the Lynx in their first year in the league after losing all four regular-season matchups — three by double digits.
Minnesota’s 34-10 record led the league. Golden State will host Game 2 on Wednesday. Â
Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman reacts after making a three point shot against the Valkyries during the first half of Game 1.
Craig Lassig / AP
Hiedeman’s late-season magic
The Lynx struggled for most of the first quarter, but that all changed when Natisha Hiedeman came off the bench and provided a big boost.
“Her play, particularly in the first half, was vital to us kind of getting through that little bit slower first quarter,” said Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve.
Hiedeman has scored at least 18 points in five of her last six games, playing her best late in the year.
“She’s on a heater right now,” said guard Kayla McBride, who scored 17. “That’s just who T is. She’s one of those people we’re talking about who has been with finals-contender teams. She knows who she is as a pro. Throughout the season you’ve just seen her kind of continue to evolve. And now when we need her the most, you know, she’s showing up and showing out.”
The Lynx are deep. The Valkyries host Game 2 on Wednesday — where they’ll need a better plan for Hiedeman.
“She’s coming off the bench, giving them a little more depth and a very good push,” said Valkyries forward Cecilia Zandalasini. “We just gotta be alert when she comes in the game and treat her like a starter.”
“She changed the game today. She changed the game last time we played,” said Reeve. “She’s just playing her best basketball of the season. She’s confident.”