The Minnesota Lynx continued their remarkable dominance over the Golden State Valkyries with a 77-66 victory on Wednesday in San Francisco. The win extended Minnesota’s winning streak to five games and improved its record to 30-7, while Golden State’s six-game winning run came to an end.
Olivia Miles and Kayla McBride each scored 20 points to lead the Lynx. Napheesa Collier added 18 points and eight rebounds, helping Minnesota establish control early and withstand a late Valkyries comeback.
Lynx Take Control Early
Minnesota set the tone from the opening minutes with strong defense and efficient offensive execution. The Lynx limited Golden State to 13 points in each of the first two quarters and built a 41-26 halftime advantage.
Miles was particularly effective after struggling in the teams’ previous meeting. She shot 8-for-10 from the field and connected on three of her five attempts from beyond the arc before leaving the contest with an ankle injury.
Collier also played a major role in Minnesota’s first-half advantage, combining scoring with strong rebounding. Courtney Williams contributed nine points and seven assists as the Lynx maintained their balanced attack.
Valkyries Rally After Halftime
Golden State responded with greater defensive intensity after the break. The Valkyries held Minnesota to 13 points in the third quarter and used a 13-2 run that carried into the fourth period to cut deeply into the deficit.
The hosts twice reduced Minnesota’s advantage to seven points in the final quarter, creating the possibility of a dramatic comeback.
However, the Lynx remained composed when the game tightened. McBride delivered several important baskets, including a three-pointer that restored breathing room late in the contest.
Kayla McBride Makes the Difference
McBride finished with 20 points and became one of Minnesota’s most important players during the Valkyries’ late push. Her scoring helped prevent Golden State from completing its comeback.
Miles also finished with 20 points and seven assists, while Collier recorded 18 points and eight rebounds.
For Golden State, Janelle Salaun led the team with 15 points, all coming in the second half. Veronica Burton contributed 14 points, seven assists and four steals, while Tiffany Hayes added 12 points.
Golden State Struggles From the Field
Shooting was a major problem for the Valkyries throughout the game. Golden State finished at just 32.5% from the field and made only 18.9% of its three-point attempts.
That was especially costly for a team known for its ability to generate and convert three-point opportunities. The Valkyries struggled to establish an offensive rhythm during the first half, allowing Minnesota to build a lead that proved difficult to overcome.
Golden State’s bench eventually provided a major spark. Salaun scored all 15 of her points after halftime, while Hayes finished with 12 points and four rebounds.
Lynx Continue Their Dominance
The victory was another chapter in Minnesota’s impressive history against Golden State. The Valkyries have yet to defeat the Lynx, dating back to their previous regular-season and playoff meetings.
Minnesota swept the teams’ 2025 regular-season series before also eliminating Golden State in the first round of the 2025 WNBA playoffs. The Lynx entered this matchup having already won both meetings between the teams earlier in the 2026 season.
The latest victory only strengthened Minnesota’s hold over the matchup and kept the Lynx at the top of the WNBA standings.
What the Result Means
For Minnesota, the 77-66 victory further underlined why the Lynx have been among the league’s strongest teams throughout the season. Their defense, depth and ability to produce timely scoring allowed them to survive Golden State’s fourth-quarter surge.
For the Valkyries, the defeat exposed some areas that need improvement despite an otherwise impressive season. Golden State had won six straight games before facing Minnesota and remains one of the WNBA’s strongest defensive teams.
The Valkyries will need a better offensive start and more consistent perimeter shooting if they hope to challenge Minnesota in future meetings.
What’s Next for Lynx vs Valkyries?
The rivalry will continue when Minnesota and Golden State meet again on Monday in Minneapolis. The Lynx will look to extend their extraordinary winning streak against the Valkyries, while Golden State will have another opportunity to finally break through against Minnesota.
The 77-66 result showed that the gap between the teams can still be significant, but Golden State’s second-half response also demonstrated that the Valkyries can make Minnesota uncomfortable when they play with greater urgency.
With both teams positioned near the top of the WNBA standings, their next matchup should attract plenty of attention as the regular season moves toward its decisive stage.
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