The Minnesota Lynx pulled off one of the most dramatic victories of the WNBA postseason, rallying from a 17-point deficit to defeat the Golden State Valkyries 75–74 and advance in the playoffs.
Valkyries Control Early
For most of the game, the Valkyries looked firmly in command. Their offense flowed, their defense was disruptive, and at one point they stretched the lead to 17.
Just before the third-quarter buzzer, Golden State’s Monique Billings rebounded her own miss, scored, and converted a three-point play to push the Valkyries’ lead to 63–49 heading into the final 10 minutes. At that moment, it looked like Minnesota would have to head back to its home for game three.
The Comeback
But playoff basketball is about resilience — and Minnesota showed plenty of it. The Lynx chipped away possession by possession, tightening up defensively and finding timely buckets to close the gap.
With just over three minutes remaining, DiJonai Carrington drilled a 3-pointer from the left corner to pull Minnesota within 70–69. Moments later, Kayla McBride sliced through the lane and made a go-ahead scoop shot with 2:48 left, giving the Lynx their first real control of the game. McBride, who finished with 18 points, delivered precisely when her team needed it most.
A One-Point Classic
In the final minutes, Minnesota made the plays that mattered. A huge defensive stand, coupled with clutch execution on offense, sealed the comeback and a one-point win that will be remembered as one of the great playoff moments in team history.
Player Highlights
- Kayla McBride (MIN): 18 points, clutch go-ahead basket in the 4th quarter
- Napheesa Collier (MIN): Double-double performance anchoring the comeback
- DiJonai Carrington (MIN): Key 3-pointer late in the game to spark the rally
- Monique Billings (GS): 3-point play to close the 3rd quarter, 63–49 lead
- Valkyries Bench: Provided energy and scoring, but couldn’t hold off Lynx’s surge
What’s Next
The Lynx will not sit back and wait for the winners of the New York Liberty vs the Phoenix Mercury. For the Valkyries, the loss is heartbreaking, but their strong showing throughout the season has laid the foundation for future playoff pushes.