MINNEAPOLIS — 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.
WNBA playoff schedule: How to watch Golden State Valkyries’ first-round games against Minnesota Lynx
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.
Bay Area fans come out to support Valks at Thrive City
Playoff fever is sweeping the Bay Area. The Golden State Valkyries opened their first-ever WNBA playoff game Sunday against top-seeded Minnesota Lynx with a solid start.
The game was played in Minneapolis but hundreds came to a watch party at Thrive City in San Francisco to cheer on the Valks.
Purple power was sweeping over Thrive City Sunday for a watch party — turns out, playoff fever is contagious.
CORNELL BARNARD: “What’s your favorite team?
LILY GORDON: “The Valkyries!”
Lily Gordon, her mom Tara and sister London came from Santa Rosa to watch the Valks take on the Minnesota Lynx in Game 1 of their WNBA playoff series.
“It’s absolutely exciting. I’m just happy for all the girls on our team — humble people. We met them at one of their camps. They’re absolutely amazing. They deserve this,” Tara Gordon said.
Valkyries fan Sammy Gutierrez brought his two buddies, who are puppets. They refused to make any predictions about the game early on.
“As far as I’m concerned, I kind of want that ‘I believe’ magic. The eighth seed knocks out the first seed. I’m just hoping for it, not saying it’s going to happen,” Gutierrez said.
This is a moment many Valkyries fans didn’t expect to happen, making the playoffs in their very first season.
“I’m really impressed, to be honest with you. I didn’t think we would be here. So regardless, I’m really proud of this. I’m grateful to have a team in the Bay Area, a WNBA team,” JJ Crum said.
“Such a fun season. I never had a doubt they’d make the playoffs. You only have great basketball in the Bay Area, so why wouldn’t they?” said Chayla Cummings-Ricks.
The Valkyries had an early lead in the first quarter, but that momentum evaporated quickly as the Lynx moved ahead, winning Game 1, 101 to 72.
“It’s not the way we wanted this to turn out. We’re excited to be here supporting. It’s amazing. Just to see them playing big games against big teams like Minnesota, you can’t ask for more in first year,” said Sam Blanchard.
Game 2 will be played Wednesday at the SAP Center in San Jose.
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