Minnesota Lynx's Alanna Smith, center, is defended by Golden State Valkyries' Cecilia Zandalasini (24) and Stephanie Talbot, right, in the first half of a WNBA basketball game in San Francisco, Sunday, June 1, 2025. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
June 01, 2025 - 8:29 PM
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Napheesa Collier had 24 points and 11 rebounds, Courtney Williams added 20 points, five rebounds and five assists and the Minnesota Lynx beat the expansion Golden State Valkyries 86-75 on Sunday night.
Minnesota (7-0) tied with New York a top the WNBA standings after losing in the championship series to the Liberty last season.
The Valkyries (2-4) made WNBA history with three consecutive sellout crowds in the first three home games at the 18,064-capacity Chase Center, which is also the home of the NBA's Golden State Warriors.
Williams hit a 3-pointer 3:01 into the third quarter that gave the Lynx the lead for good and sparked a 27-5 run, capped when Collier and Williams hit 3s 27 seconds apart to make it 83-61 with 5:43 to play. Natisha Hiedeman scored all of her eight points and added two assists and two steals in Minnesota's game-breaking spurt.
Kayla McBride scored 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting and Bridget Carleton added 12 points for the Lynx.
Veronica Burton hit three 3-pointers and finished with 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting for Golden State. Kate Martin added 14 points and Kayla Thornton had 11.
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