The Lynx continued their winning ways at Target Center on Saturday, giving up just 11 points in the fourth quarter for their 16th win of the season.
While many are taking time off over the holiday weekend, the Minnesota Lynx continued with the packed portion of their schedule on Saturday Night against the Golden State Valkyries. It was time the Valkyries played at Target Center, this being their inaugural season in the WNBA.
The Lynx got off to a slow start, struggling to put the ball in the basket while falling behind 8-3. Kayla McBride was an early source of offense, scoring the Lynx’s first five points of the game, including a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws. She also got the Lynx going with her passing, dishing out dimes to Alanna Smith and Napheesa Collier early in the game.
POCKET PASS. pic.twitter.com/C7fWCxAv8x
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) July 6, 2025
Minnesota got settled into the game, taking a ten-point lead midway through the second quarter. The Valkyries wouldn’t go down without a fight, though, as they found gaps within the Lynx defense, converting 13 of their next 19 shots after falling down double-digits, taking a two-point lead halfway through the third quarter.
Alanna Smith exited the game at this point with a knee injury and did not return to the game. She finished the game with five points, playing fantastic defense over the 18 minutes she ended up playing.
The Lynx, as they have done all season, responded with a great stretch of basketball. They held Golden State to just four points the remainder of the quarter, while scoring 15 points of their own to flip the two-point deficit into a nine-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. Diamond Miller capped off the third quarter with a 3-pointer after doing the same to close out the first.
PUT THOSE IN THE AIR. pic.twitter.com/o7Ie0W9oaI
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) July 6, 2025
With a chance to put the game away early in the fourth quarter, the Minnesota defense put a vice grip on Golden State, holding them without a field goal for almost eight minutes. From 3:25 in the third quarter to 5:27 in the fourth quarter, the Valkyries missed ten straight shots, allowing the Lynx to go on a 19-2 run during that time frame.
By the time the Valkyries were able to put a shot in the basketball, they found themselves down by 15 points, with Bridget Carleton capping off the run for the Lynx with the dagger 3-pointer.
BC FOR…
y’all know the rest. pic.twitter.com/O0MfpDcUYN
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) July 6, 2025
The Lynx would go on to win the game 82-71, bringing their season record to an outstanding 16-2. Collier continued on her path to the MVP award, scoring 22 points on 8-11 shooting to go along with six rebounds, a block, and a steal. McBride and Courtney Williams combined for 27 points, including five 3-pointers. Tiffany Hayes led the way for Golden State with 23 points.
Up Next
The Lynx play their first back-to-back of the season tomorrow night, right back at Target Center for a matchup with Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky. The game begins at 6:00 PM CT, airing on FanDuel Sports Network.