Tip‑Off: 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT
Venue: Chase Center — San Francisco, California
Capacity: 18,064
Court Type: Hardwood
Injury Report
Minnesota Lynx
Napheesa Collier (F): Probable — minor knee soreness, expected to play
Kayla McBride (G): Fully available
Alanna Smith (F/C): Probable — ankle management
Courtney Williams (G): Questionable — hamstring tightness
Diamond Miller (G/F): Fully available
Golden State Valkyries
Kelsey Plum (G): Probable — wrist soreness
Chelsea Gray (PG): Out — foot injury, multi‑week absence
A’ja Wilson (F/C): Fully available
Jackie Young (G/F): Fully available
Li Yueru (C): Questionable — illness
Golden State’s backcourt depth remains thin without Gray, placing more creation responsibility on Young and Plum.
Team Records & Recent Form
Minnesota Lynx (12–3)
Last 5 Games: W–W–L–W–W
Offensive Rating: Top 4 in the league
Defensive Rating: Top 3; elite rim protection and perimeter discipline
Form Notes:
Minnesota is playing its best basketball of the season
Collier is in MVP‑caliber form
Lynx have won 5 of their last 6 road games
Golden State Valkyries (10–5)
Last 5 Games: W–L–W–W–L
Offensive Rating: Top 5; heavy reliance on Wilson + Young
Defensive Rating: Middle tier; vulnerable in transition
Form Notes:
Valkyries are elite at home (6–2 at Chase Center)
Wilson continues to dominate both ends
Backcourt creation suffers without Gray
Series History
2026 Season Series: Minnesota leads 1–0
Lynx 87–79 on June 4 in Minneapolis
All‑Time Series: Minnesota leads 2–0 (Valkyries expansion franchise)
Trend: Minnesota’s physicality and defensive structure have matched up well with Golden State’s pace‑and‑space offense
Key Player Matchups
1. Napheesa Collier (MIN) vs A’ja Wilson (GSV)
Two MVP candidates
Collier’s versatility vs Wilson’s dominance in the paint
Whoever wins this matchup likely swings the game
2. Kayla McBride (MIN) vs Jackie Young (GSV)
McBride’s shooting vs Young’s two‑way impact
Young must limit McBride’s catch‑and‑shoot looks
3. Diamond Miller (MIN) vs Kelsey Plum (GSV)
Miller’s length vs Plum’s scoring burst
Minnesota will try to force Plum into contested mid‑range shots
4. Minnesota Defense vs Golden State Pace
Lynx excel at forcing late‑clock possessions
Valkyries need early‑clock scoring to avoid Minnesota’s set defense
Betting Trends
Minnesota Lynx
5–1 ATS in last 6
Under has hit in 4 of last 6
6–2 on the road this season
7–1 when holding opponents under 80
Golden State Valkyries
4–2 ATS in last 6 home games
Over has hit in 5 of last 7
8–1 when scoring 85+ points
1–3 without Chelsea Gray
Head‑to‑Head Trends
Minnesota has won both all‑time meetings
Both matchups have gone Under
Average combined score: 160.0
GAME ODDS
Minnesota Lynx – 2.5
Golden State Valkyries 166.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, June 18, 2026
