The Valkyries’ first-round playoff stage is set.
After falling to the Minnesota Lynx 72-53 in the regular season finale on Thursday, the Valkyries dropped to the No. 8 seed and will stay in the Land of a Thousand Lakes for Game 1 starting on Sunday.
The Lynx were by far the best team in the league this season, finishing with a 44-10 record. Golden State were swept in the regular season series by Minnesota in games that were not particularly close.
The Lynx will be seeking their fifth WNBA title, setting the record for the most championships by a franchise in league history. Minnesota was in the finals last season, but fell to the New York Liberty in five games.
Here’s a breakdown of the Valkyries’ first-round opponent:
Who are the Lynx’s top players?
Minnesota is led by MVP candidate Napheesa Collier, who has averages of 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 53.1% from the field and 40.3% from the 3-point line.
But while Collier demands most of the opposing defense’s attention, the Lynx have a plethora of options to go to.
Guard Kayla McBride is a two-way forward, who is averaging 14.4 points per game on 40.1% from the 3-point line. The backcourt duo of Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, also known as the StudBudz, are shifty, tough shot-making guards that can get hot in a hurry.
The Lynx also have possibly the best on-ball defender in the league in former Stanford standout DiJonai Carrington coming off the bench. Alanna Smith, Jessica Shepard and Bridget Carleton are all complimentary players that fit Minnesota’s system well.
What do the Lynx do best?
Well, just about everything.
The Lynx entered Thursday’s game against the Valkyries with the highest scoring offense at 86.4 points per game. Minnesota averages the most assists (23.4) while leading the league in field goal (47.3%) and 3-point percentage (38%).
The Lynx also boast the league’s best defense as they have the best defensive rating in the league. Minnesota’s opponents turned the ball over an average of 15.4 times per game scoring under 80 points per game.
Season series
The regular season series wasn’t particularly close with the Lynx, who took all four games, including two by comfortable margins in the final week of the season.
In the first three games, Golden State kept things somewhat competitive until the final quarter where Minnesota’s star power became too much. In four games against the Valkyries, Collier has averaged 21.2 points and 6.5 rebounds.
The Lynx along with the Phoenix Mercury are the only teams that the Valkyries haven’t beaten in the regular season.
Top storylines
– Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes has missed the last eight games with a knee injury. Coach Natalie Nakase said the veteran guard worked out before Thursday’s game, but did not say whether she will be ready to play in the playoffs.
– Cecilia Zandalasini returned from a calf injury in Tuesday’s loss to the Seattle Storm that sidelined her for eight games. She played just five minutes on Tuesday, but Nakase ramped up the Italian sharpshooter against the Lynx as she played 22 minutes and scored eight points.
– Iliana Rupert walked off the court limping against Minnesota early in the fourth quarter. She did not return.
– Collier recorded a 50-40-90 season, joining Elena Delle Don as the only players in league history to shoot at least 50% from the field, 40% from the 3-point line and 90% at the free throw line.
– Minnesota will go into the playoffs winning six of its last 10 games. The Valkyries lost three straight to end the regular season.
