Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) shoots over Golden State Valkyries center Iliana Rupert (12) during the first half of Game 2 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. V谩squez)
Golden State Valkyries players celebrate from the bench during the first half of Game 2 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs against the Minnesota Lynx, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. V谩squez)
Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) shoots next to Golden State Valkyries forward Cecilia Zandalasini during the first half of Game 2 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. V谩squez)
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, left, shoots over Golden State Valkyries center Iliana Rupert during the first half of Game 2 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. V谩squez)
Minnesota Lynx forward Jessica Shepard (15) and Golden State Valkyries forward Monique Billings (25) compete for possession of the ball during the first half of Game 2 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. V谩squez)
Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) moves the ball next to Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Sala眉n (13) during the first half of Game 2 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. V谩squez)
Collier scores 24 points as No. 1 seed Lynx beat Valkyries 75-74 to advance in WNBA playoffs
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) 鈥 Napheesa Collier made a go-ahead 18-footer with 1:24 left on the way to 24 points, and the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx rallied from a 17-point, third-quarter deficit to beat the Golden State Valkyries 75-74 on Wednesday night and move on in the WNBA playoffs.
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) shoots over Golden State Valkyries center Iliana Rupert (12) during the first half of Game 2 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. V谩squez)
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) 鈥 Napheesa Collier made a go-ahead 18-footer with 1:24 left on the way to 24 points, and the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx rallied from a 17-point, third-quarter deficit to beat the Golden State Valkyries 75-74 on Wednesday night and move on in the WNBA playoffs.
Collier shot 10 for 16 and followed up her 20-point performance in Game 1 with a 14-point second half to bring her team back 鈥 and give the Lynx another chance to keep chasing that championship they just missed last year.
The Valkyries had one final chance with four seconds remaining following a shot-clock violation, and Cecilia Zandalasini couldn’t convert a jumper.
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Kayla McBride made a go-ahead scoop shot for Minnesota with 2:48 to go after DiJonai Carrington connected on a 3-pointer from the left corner with 3:18 remaining to pull Minnesota within 70-69. McBride wound up with 18 points
Veronica Burton had 13 points, nine assists, six rebounds and four steals as the expansion Valkyries nearly extended their special season. Monique Billings scored 15 points off the bench.
Carrington banked in a 3-pointer with 8:30 left that got the Lynx within 63-56 and McBride’s jumper made it a five-point game at the 7:19 mark before Golden State called timeout. The Valkyries immediately committed a shot-clock violation and McBride scored again.
The Valkyries, cheered by their raucous sellout crowd of 18,543, were in control for much of the game 鈥 unlike their 101-72 Game 1 defeat Sunday.
Billings rebounded her own miss just before the third-quarter buzzer, scored and converted a three-point play to put Golden State ahead 63-49 going into the final 10 minutes. But Minnesota kept creeping back.
After the final buzzer, fans chanted 鈥淕SV!鈥 to celebrate a season in which by becoming the first expansion franchise to reach the playoffs in its inaugural season.
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And the Valkyries were unfazed playing in an unfamiliar venue for their first postseason home game. That 鈥淏alhalla鈥 home-court advantage had to relocate nearly 50 miles south to the NHL San Jose Sharks鈥 SAP Center because the Laver Cup tennis showcase had booked Chase Center before Golden State had even been granted an expansion team.
Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski was one of the biggest supporters, sitting courtside with owner Joe Lacob and Warriors President Brandon Schneider.
Golden State lost all four regular-season meetings, three by double figures, so this one will both sting and show these women how close they are. Starting center Temi Fagbenle was a late scratch Wednesday because of right knee pain.
Valkyries before the game as WNBA Coach of the Year and Burton the league’s most improved player.
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