Golden State Valkyries vs Minnesota Lynx Player Stats and Box Score (Sep. 14) | Game 1, 2025 WNBA Playoffs

Golden State Valkyries vs Minnesota Lynx was the opening game of the 2025 WNBA playoffs. The top team in the league, led by MVP candidate Napheesa Collier, was met with a surprise attack from the underdog Golden State Valkyries in the early minutes of the game.

Every Lynx starter struggled to put the ball in the basket in the first quarter. The Valkyries took advantage of the Lynx's struggles and took an early 10-point lead with a 17-7 score in the first five minutes of the game. Both Temi Fágbénlé and Veronica Burton led the Valkyries in the opening quarter.

However, the No. 1 team in the league made a speedy recovery with less than 3 minutes remaining in the quarter. Quick baskets from Natisha Hiedeman, Jessica Shepard and Kayla MacBride cut the lead to just 4 points. But the Valkyries answered right back, taking a 7-point lead at the end of the first 10 minutes.

The Lynx's second-quarter performance was a testament to their elite roster and why they were the best team in the league. Behind McBride and Hiedeman, they outscored the Valkyries by 17-5 in the first 7 minutes.

The Lynx outscored the Valkyries by 12-26 in the quarter with a 40-47 score. Collier and McBride led the scoring for the Lynx with 11 and 14 points.

The next two quarters were not different for the Valkyries. The constant attack from the Lynx and their suffocating defense once again gave Minnesota a big lead. They outscored Golden State by 14 points in the third quarter. Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams led the Lynx offense.

With a 21-point lead going into the fourth quarter, Cheryl Reeve took Collier out of the game. But the Lynx's elite offense proved too much to handle for the Valkyries. Moreover, their offense also failed to cope with the pressure, and they were held to just five points in the first seven minutes of the final regulation.

The Lynx outscored the Valkyires by 8 points in the final 10 minutes, registering a dominating 29-point win in Game 1. Minnesota's got a big contribution both from their starters and bench players.

Napeesa Collier led the Lynx with 20 points. Natisha Hiedeman also added 18 points. Both Cecilia Zandalasini and Veronica Burton were the top scorers for the Valkyries with 14 points.

Golden State Valkyries vs Minnesota Lynx Player Stats and Box Score

Golden State Valkyries

M

Player	PTS	REB	AST	FG	STL	BLK	PF
Janelle Salaun	13	6	0	45.5	1	0	2
Cecilia Zandalasini	14	4	2	30.0	1	0	3
Temi Fágbénlé	12	3	3	62.5	0	0	5
Kaila Charles	2	1	1	16.7	1	0	4
Veronica Burton	14	5	7	23.1	3	1	4
Kate Martin	11	2	2	28.6	0	1	0
Iliana Rupert	0	3	1	0.0	0	0	3
Monique Billings	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0
Carla Leite	4	0	0	0.0	0	0	1
Laeticia Amihere	0	1	0	0.0	0	0	0
Kaitlyn Chen	2	1	1	100.0	0	0	0

Minnesota Lynx

Player	PTS	REB	AST	FG	STL	BLK	PF
Bridget Carleton	2	3	3	0.0	0	0	2
Napheesa Collier	20	6	2	63.6	1	0	4
Alanna Smith	9	6	2	40.0	4	0	3
Kayla McBride	17	3	1	60.0	1	0	3
Courtney Williams	11	4	4	40.0	4	1	1
Jessica Shepard	6	8	4	57.1	1	0	1
Natisha Hiedeman	18	3	4	46.7	1	0	3
DiJonai Carrington	6	0	2	66.7	1	0	1
Maria Kliundikova	0	1	2	0	0	0	0
Jaylyn Sherrod	0	1	1	0	0	0	1
Anastasiia Olairi Kosu	6	0	0	100.0	0	0	3