WNBA Game Preview: Golden State Valkyries (9-7) vs. Minnesota Lynx (15-2)

Game Overview
Venue	Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Time	8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
Broadcast	WNBA League Pass, KPIX+ (Bay Area), KMAX (Sacramento)
Win Probability	Lynx 75% – Valkyries 25%

Team Form & Storylines

Minnesota Lynx (15–2)

Streak: Coming off a 92–75 win over Washington after losing the Commissioner’s Cup Final to Indiana

Home Record: Undefeated in regular season at Target Center

Key Stat: League-best in offensive rating (107.9), defensive rating (93.9), and net rating (14.0)

Golden State Valkyries (9–7)

Streak: 2-game win streak, including a 27-point blowout of Seattle

Road Record: 3–4, starting a 4-game road trip

Key Stat: 7–3 in their last 10 games; 11–5 ATS on the season

Tactical Breakdown

Minnesota Lynx

Offensive Engine: Napheesa Collier (24.4 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.8 SPG, 1.5 BPG) – top-5 in all four categories

Supporting Cast:

Kayla McBride: 15.2 PPG, elite 3-point shooter

Courtney Williams: 6.1 APG, floor general

Style: Half-court execution, elite spacing, and rim protection

Golden State Valkyries

Core Strength: Defense (2nd in WNBA in defensive rating)

Key Players:

Tiffany Hayes: 21 points in last game vs. Seattle

Temi Fagbenle & Cecilia Zandalasini: Recently reintegrated from EuroBasket, add depth and experience

Style: Slower pace, physical defense, balanced scoring

Key Matchups

Matchup	Edge
Napheesa Collier vs. Valkyries Frontcourt	Lynx – MVP-caliber dominance
Hayes/Zandalasini vs. McBride/Williams	Even – depends on perimeter shooting
Coaching & Execution	Lynx – Cheryl Reeve’s system is humming

X-Factors

Janelle Salaün (Valkyries): Her length and mobility could be key in slowing Collier.

Courtney Williams (Lynx): If she controls tempo and limits turnovers, Minnesota will dictate the game.

Advanced Metrics Snapshot

Team	OFFRTG	DEFRTG	NETRTG	Pace
Lynx	107.9	93.9	+14.0	9th
Valkyries	98.4	95.1	+3.3	11th

Both teams play at a slower pace, so expect a methodical, physical contest.