The Golden State Valkyries made their long-awaited WNBA Playoffs debut Sunday night in the highly anticipated Valkyries vs Lynx Game 1, and for one quarter, they showed the entire league why “Ballhalla” believes. But after a red-hot start, the No. 8 seed couldn’t sustain their momentum against the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx, falling 101–72 in Game 1 at Target Center.
Head coach Natalie Nakase was candid postgame, calling for officials to give her team “a fair fight and a clean fight” after what she felt was an unbalanced whistle that shifted the flow of the game.
A Strong Start in Minneapolis
Golden State came out swinging, leading 28–21 after the first quarter. Their defense forced the Lynx into 12 misses on 20 attempts, while the Valkyries lit it up from deep, going 5-for-8 from three. Janelle Salaün, Veronica Burton, and Iliana Rupert all knocked down key shots as the violet and gold silenced the Minnesota crowd.
But the second quarter told a different story. Minnesota got 11 free-throw attempts in the frame while Golden State had just one, and the Lynx outscored the Valkyries 26–12 to flip the game on its head.
Nakase Speaks Out
Nakase — who even picked up a technical foul for challenging calls — didn’t mince words after the loss:
“All we’re asking for is a fair fight. Let the players decide it on the floor.”
The numbers told part of the story: Golden State finished with 22 fouls to Minnesota’s 23, but the timing and momentum swings were crushing.
Shooting Goes Cold
After their electric first quarter, the Valkyries went just 5-for-23 from three the rest of the way. Minnesota, led by Napheesa Collier and a smothering defense, reminded everyone why they finished with the best record in the league.
What’s Next: Game 2 in San Jose
Despite the lopsided score, the Valkyries are far from done. They return to the Bay Area for Game 2 on Wednesday, Sept. 17, but due to a Chase Center scheduling conflict, the matchup will take place at SAP Center in San Jose.
The violet-and-gold faithful are expected to pack the Shark Tank and give the Valks the same home-court roar that made Ballhalla the loudest venue in the WNBA this season.
Golden State has already made history as the first WNBA expansion team to reach the playoffs in its debut season, and now, the fight shifts to protecting home turf.
