Lynx vs Valkyries: Napheesa Collier’s Late Magic Stuns Golden State — 75–74, Series Over for Valkyries

Napheesa Collier scores 24 and hits the go-ahead jumper late as the Minnesota Lynx rally to beat the Golden State Valkyries 75–74 and advance in the WNBA playoffs. Full recap, player stats, analysis, and where to watch.

Quick lead — Lynx vs Valkyries

Top-seeded Minnesota Lynx rallied from a 17-point third-quarter hole to edge the expansion Golden State Valkyries 75–74, with Napheesa Collier’s go-ahead 18-footer at 1:24 remaining delivering the series-clinching bucket and ending San Jose’s fairytale first season.

Why this matchup mattered

This first-round pairing was a classic playoff storyline: the established power (the Minnesota Lynx, top seed) vs the league’s newest surprise (the Golden State Valkyries, an expansion team that somehow qualified for the postseason). Beyond the scoreboard, the series represented two narratives:

• A test of pedigree for the Lynx — can they convert favorites into consistent postseason traction?
• A proof-of-concept for the Valkyries — can an expansion roster full of international and under-the-radar pieces compete with WNBA established talents and culture?

The answer on Wednesday night was emotionally raw: Minnesota’s experience and late-game poise won out, while Golden State left with a remarkable debut season and a fanbase that will remember this run for years.

The game — quarter-by-quarter recap (Lynx 75, Valkyries 74)

Venue & significance: SAP Center, San Jose — Game 2 (first-round WNBA playoffs). The Valkyries entered the night having rallied the market behind them; the Lynx arrived determined to close the series after a dominant Game 1.

Final scoreline: Minnesota Lynx 75 — Golden State Valkyries 74.

First quarter — Valkyries’ early punch

Golden State came out with confidence, building an early lead behind hot perimeter shooting and crisp movement. The Valkyries’ offense — powered by international scorers and savvy role players — executed a high-quality opening frame, forcing Minnesota to defend on their heels. Game 1 had shown some defensive gaps for Golden State, but tonight they looked inspired and energized.

Second quarter — tight, tactical chess

Both teams traded baskets and stops. Minnesota tried to find answers for the Valkyries’ spacing; the visitors kept the game within a manageable margin heading to halftime. Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride did steady work for the Lynx, while Golden State’s perimeter threats kept the scoreboard ticking.

Third quarter — Valkyries explode (17-point swing)

San Jose produced a breathtaking third quarter, at one point enjoying a 17-point advantage thanks to improved ball movement, timely threes, and high-energy defensive rotations. The crowd roared as the Valkyries looked on the verge of pulling off an upset — a 17-point swing is rare in playoff basketball and underscored how dangerous Golden State could be when everything clicked.

Fourth quarter — Lynx resilience & Collier’s late heroics

Minnesota refused to fold. They chipped away — tightened defense, smarter possessions, attacking the paint and cleaning up the glass — until the margin evaporated. With 1:24 left, Napheesa Collier drilled an 18-footer to give Minnesota the lead. Golden State had chances down the stretch, including a shot at the buzzer by Cecilia Zandalasini that rimmed out; the Lynx escaped with a one-point series-clinching win.

Key performers & boxscore highlights

Below are the boxscore standouts and the players who swung the game.

Minnesota Lynx

• Napheesa Collier — 24 points: Collier carried the load offensively and hit the go-ahead 18-footer with 1:24 remaining — a clutch shot that defined the comeback. She also contributed on the boards and in transition.
• Kayla McBride — 18 points: Veteran scoring and perimeter stability; McBride’s shooting helped the Lynx stay in the hunt.
• Bridget Carleton & others: Secondary scoring and defensive plays complemented Minnesota’s star performances; several role players made key stops and hustle plays to swing momentum.

Golden State Valkyries

• Cecilia Zandalasini — near-game winner: Zandalasini drilled tough shots all night and had the final look at the buzzer that could have sealed a shock victory.
• Iliana Rupert / Alanna Smith / others: The Valkyries’ mix of size and shooting forced matchups and produced the 17-point third-quarter surge. Alanna Smith’s minutes and spacing were notable in Game 1 and the close Game 2.

Tactical analysis — how the Lynx pulled off the comeback

A 17-point deficit in the third quarter is a mountain to climb — especially in playoff intensity. Here’s how Minnesota climbed it:

a) Defensive intensity and rotation

Minnesota switched to a more aggressive closeout pattern in the fourth, forcing tougher contested jumpers and pressuring the Valkyries’ ball handlers into hurried decisions. Those contested kickouts reduced the yield of the Valkyries’ three-point attempts (which had burned them earlier). The Lynx also improved rebounding on the offensive glass, turning missed Valkyries shots into second-chance points.

b) Attack the paint and free-throw line

The Lynx refocused their attack through Collier and McBride, attacking the rim to draw fouls and collapse the defense. That approach generated easy points and reset the Valkyries’ spacing. As Minnesota fed the paint, the Valkyries’ defensive rotations slowed, allowing Collier to find jumpers and make the big late shot.

c) Time and possession management under pressure

In the final minutes, Minnesota’s veteran group managed clock and shot selection better. They didn’t panic — instead they ran purposeful sets to free Collier and got the ball into her sooner, trusting their closer in a clutch moment. That calmness is the hallmark of experienced playoff teams.

 

Valkyries’ season in perspective — what they built in Year One

The Golden State Valkyries’ first WNBA season was nothing short of remarkable. Consider these key achievements:

• Playoff berth as an expansion team: Few expansion teams do more than tread water — the Valkyries not only competed, they qualified for the playoffs and hosted a postseason game in front of an enthusiastic Bay Area crowd.
• Identity and system: Under rookie head coach Natalie Nakase, Golden State developed a clear defensive identity (leading the league in opponent shooting percentage at times) and an offensive system that leveraged spacing and three-point shooting. That identity allowed a group of largely non-star names and international pieces to play above expectations.
• Fan engagement & culture: The Valkyries filled arenas and created a buzzy market in the Bay Area after moving some games to SAP Center, showing that WNBA expansion — when done thoughtfully — can quickly produce engaged fans and community ties. The team’s emotional postgame scenes after Game 2 underscored the bond they built this season.

While the season ended in heartbreak, the broader story is one of enormous promise. The Valkyries’ roster and staff have tangible building blocks to keep the franchise competitive.

[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]

 

Coaching, context and headlines

Natalie Nakase — Coach of the Year and a galvanizer

In a storybook twist, Natalie Nakase was named WNBA Coach of the Year for 2025 after leading the expansion Valkyries to a 23–21 record and a playoff berth — the first expansion team to make the postseason in its debut year. Nakase’s award is validation for her leadership and the staff’s systemization of a roster full of newcomers. Her tactical work in Game 2 produced the defensive schemes that generated the Valkyries’ 17-point surge; the narrow loss is not a strike against her future prospects.

Narrative headlines from the series

• “Valkyries’ historic season ends in heartbreak” — local outlets framed the loss as both a heartbreak and a success story.
• “Collier’s 24 lifts Lynx” — national wires emphasized Collier’s clutch scoring and veteran poise.

Those headlines capture the dual nature of this series: Minnesota advances, Golden State departs — but not before announcing its arrival in the WNBA conversation.

What this means next — Minnesota & Golden State

Minnesota Lynx (moving forward)

• Immediate: The Lynx will advance to the next round with momentum from a gutsy comeback, and they’ll lean on Collier’s scoring and veteran leadership as they prepare for tougher matchups in the bracket. The comeback will boost team confidence and the coaching staff’s in-game adjustments will be studied by future opponents.
• Longer term: Minnesota demonstrated depth and late-game resilience — traits needed to make a true postseason run. If they can tighten some defensive lapses that allowed the 17-point swing, they’ll be formidable.

Golden State Valkyries (offseason & future)

• Immediate: Heartache — but pride. The Valkyries return to the offseason with legitimacy and a roster core that overperformed expectations. They’ll likely keep much of their coaching staff intact and use this playoff experience to refine rotations and offseason roster construction.
• Longer term: A blueprint for expansion franchises: invest in system, culture, and coaching. Golden State’s fan momentum and the Coach of the Year award signal the Valkyries are positioned to remain competitive quickly.

VET ACTIVITIES pic.twitter.com/4uazc3w7Zy

— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) September 18, 2025

 

Where to watch replays, highlights and follow the teams

If you missed the game or want to rewatch highlights:

• WNBA official site & app — full game recaps, condensed games, and highlights.
• ESPN — game recap, video highlights and in-game win-probability charts.
• Local coverage (Bay Area outlets & Minnesota media) — postgame interviews and feature stories on the players and coaches.

For next season schedules, roster moves and in-depth analysis, follow each team’s official site and the WNBA’s newsroom.

FAQs (what fans are searching for)

Q: What was the final score of Lynx vs Valkyries Game 2?
A: Minnesota Lynx 75, Golden State Valkyries 74. Napheesa Collier finished with 24 points and hit the go-ahead 18-footer with 1:24 remaining. (ESPN.com)

Q: Did the Valkyries make the playoffs in their first year?
A: Yes — the Golden State Valkyries qualified for the 2025 WNBA playoffs in their inaugural season, a rare accomplishment for an expansion team. (Golden State Of Mind)

Q: Who won WNBA Coach of the Year?
A: Natalie Nakase (Golden State Valkyries) was named WNBA Coach of the Year in 2025 after leading the new franchise to a 23–21 record and the playoffs. (Reuters)

Q: Where can I watch the highlights and replay?
A: Visit the WNBA official site, ESPN’s game recap page, or each team’s social channels for condensed games and top plays. (WNBA)