MINNEAPOLIS — The Valkyries opened their first-ever playoff game against the Minnesota Lynx with a promising start.
The expansion team was hitting shots, getting stops and looked comfortable in front of a rowdy Minnesota crowd for Game 1 of the teams’ first-round playoff series.
But the Valkyries’ momentum evaporated quickly as the Lynx’s star power, again, proved to be too much.
Golden State dropped Game 1 on the road 101-72 as it couldn’t stop Minnesota’s high-octane offense after holding an early lead in the first quarter. It was the Valkyries’ worst loss since falling to the Connecticut Sun by 31 points on July 27.
Cecilia Zandalasini and Veronica Burton each had 14 points to lead the Valkyries. Temi Fágbénlé had 12 points — all coming in the first half.
“If we want to beat that team, then we have to be consistent,” Zandalasini said. “It’s 40 minutes game, and I think we just played a solid half, but we need the second half as well.”
MVP candidate Napheesa Collier had 20 points and six rebounds for the Lynx. Kayla McBride added 17 points. Natisha Hiedeman came off the bench and had 18 points.
Minnesota shot 51.5% from the field and hit 21-of-24 free throws. Golden State was held to 33.9% shooting and turned the ball over 16 times, which led to 16 Lynx points.
The Valkyries have now lost all five games they’ve played against the Lynx.
Though the Valkyries shot three more free throws than Minnesota, coach Natalie Nakase said she believed her team lost control of the game when officials called fouls that killed momentum.
“I thought we were playing beautiful basketball. And then all of a sudden the fouls get called consecutively,” Nakase said. “It wasn’t that the fouls are balanced it was that the fouls are being called when we’re on a run, and it shifts the momentum.”
Unlike Thursday’s regular-season finale, the Valkyries started off hot in the first quarter. Golden State finished the period shooting 50% from the field and hit five of its eight 3-point attempts. The Valkyries held Minnesota to 40% shooting and forced three turnovers to take a seven-point lead after the first 10 minutes.
But after a solid start, the Valkyries cooled off in the second quarter and Minnesota took advantage.
The Lynx opened the period with a 12-3 run and extended their lead to as big as 10. The home team hit 12 of its 14 free throw attempts in the first half and outscored the Valkyries 22-14 in the paint.
Golden State Valkyries guard Kate Martin, left, falls over Minnesota Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman (2) as they scramble for a lose ball during the first half of an WBA basketball game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 09: Dominique Malonga #14 of the Seattle Storm blocks a shot by Temi Fagbenle #14 of the Golden State Valkyries during the third quarter at Climate Pledge Arena on September 09, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Amanda Loman/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 14: Cecilia Zandalasini #24 of the Golden State Valkyries shoots against Courtney Williams #10 of the Minnesota Lynx during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the WNBA Playoffs at Target Center on September 14, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matt Krohn/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 14: Kaila Charles #6 of the Golden State Valkyries works around Natisha Hiedeman #2 of the Minnesota Lynx during the second quarter in game one of the first round of the WNBA Playoffs at Target Center on September 14, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matt Krohn/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 11: Veronica Burton #22 of the Golden State Valkyries shoots while Courtney Williams #10 of the Minnesota Lynx jumps to block during the first quarter at Target Center on September 11, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images)
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, right, drives past Golden State Valkyries center Temi Fagbenle (14) during the first half of an WBA basketball game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
Golden State Valkyries center Temi Fagbenle, center, goes up for a shot past Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith (8) and forward Bridget Carleton (6) during the first half of an WBA basketball game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
Golden State Valkyries guard Kaila Charles, left, drives past Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith (8) during the first half of an WBA basketball game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) goes up for a shot past Minnesota Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman (2) during the first half of an WBA basketball game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
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Golden State Valkyries guard Kate Martin, left, falls over Minnesota Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman (2) as they scramble for a lose ball during the first half of an WBA basketball game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
Golden State went with a short rotation early, playing just Kate Martin and Iliana Rupert off the bench in the first two quarters.
Temi Fágbénlé led the Valkyries with 12 points and three rebounds in the first half, but Golden State trailed by seven going into halftime.
Minnesota ended the Valkyries’ hopes of stealing Game 1 early in the third quarter.
The Lynx came out of halftime firing on all cylinders, going on an 8-2 run to balloon their advantage. Minnesota outscored the Valkyries 23-13 in the third quarter behind timely shot making and stingy defense to make its lead insurmountable for the visiting team.
The Valkyries were outscored 58-30 in the second and third quarters and trailed by as much as 36.
“I think (Minnesota’s) physicality increased for sure,” Burton said of losing the second and third quarters. “We weren’t hitting as many shots. I think the thing about a team like Minnesota is that they’re going to be very steady throughout the entire game, and there’s no let up, and there’s really no drop off.”
Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve cleared her benches at the 4:18 mark of the fourth quarter.
Golden State will return to the Bay Area for Game 2 at SAP Center in San Jose on Wednesday (7 p.m., ESPN).