The Minnesota Lynx saved their season from slipping into a decisive Game 3 with a furious final-quarter push that left the expansion Golden State Valkyries stunned. Down 14 entering the fourth, Minnesota stormed back to secure a 75–74 win Wednesday night and complete a two-game sweep in the first round of the WNBA playoffs.
The rally rewrote history. Since the WNBA adopted quarters in 2006, the Lynx had been 0–76 in games where they trailed by at least 14 heading into the fourth, regular season or playoffs. That streak ended when Napheesa Collier, who finished with 24 points, knocked down the go-ahead jumper with 1:24 left, the moment that swung the series. The win not only sent the Lynx into the semifinals but also denied Golden State the chance to extend its historic inaugural season.
The Valkyries, who became the first WNBA expansion team to reach the playoffs in Year 1, controlled the game for three quarters behind Veronica Burton’s playmaking and Monique Billings’ scoring off the bench. They led by double digits most of the night, feeding off a crowd of 18,543 that had relocated nearly 50 miles south from San Francisco because of a scheduling conflict at Chase Center.
But the final 10 minutes belonged to Minnesota. DiJonai Carrington’s 3-pointer sparked the rally, Kayla McBride scored 18 points and hit the shot that put the Lynx ahead for the first time since the opening quarter, and Courtney Williams added a clutch jumper in the closing minute.
When Cecilia Zandalasini’s attempt at the buzzer fell short, the Lynx had completed a two-game sweep and their most improbable win of the season.
Collier Sets the Tone, McBride and Williams Provide the Finish
Collier carried Minnesota through the comeback with her poise and aggression. She delivered 14 of her 24 points in the second half, attacking Golden State’s defense when the Lynx needed it most.
“Just the desperation that we played with, knowing we were down a lot and only had 10 minutes to get it back. I think it was 13,” Collier said. “Coach said at one point, there’s nothing she can draw for us that’ll get an easy bucket. You just have to go out there and play. Changing that mindset, realizing they’d scouted all our plays—so just going out there, playing basketball, pick and roll, making reads, we did a really good job of being aggressive in the fourth quarter.”
McBride’s scoring punch helped close the gap, and her scoop shot with 2:48 left gave Minnesota its first lead since the opening period. Williams added the exclamation point, drilling a pull-up jumper in the final minute to put the Lynx in control.
“I black out during the game, so I have no idea!” McBride said with a laugh when asked about the play that freed Williams. “I think it was just swing, swing; Bridget got it on another swing, swung it to Courtney, and she had a pull-up. Courtney relishes those moments; we’ve seen her do it countless times. It was a broken play—drive, kick, pump fake, kick to Courtney, one dribble right pull-up; that’s her money shot.”
Reeve admitted she wrestled with whether to call a timeout on the possession before Golden State’s last chance, which ended with Zandalasini’s missed jumper at the buzzer.
“It was a weird possession—we got trapped out and got a shot clock violation,” Reeve said. “I should’ve taken a timeout to discuss options, but I thought we were good to run it down. You don’t know for sure who would take the last shot, but we were fortunate in the end.”
🚨 THE MINNESOTA LYNX ARE MOVNG ON! 🚨
— Ballislife Bets (@BallislifeBets) September 18, 2025
Edging out the Golden State Valkyries, the Lynx will advance to the Semifinals!
They will play the winner of the Liberty vs Mercury series.
Minnesota is the heavy favorite to win the WNBA Championship at -155 odds.#WNBA #Recognize pic.twitter.com/zhlTMi8vHG
Adjusting to Golden State’s Physicality
For much of the night, the Valkyries dictated the terms with their pressure defense and toughness. Reeve said the Lynx had to meet that standard to flip the game in the fourth quarter.
“In the second half we started to respond better. Golden State threw all the punches in the first half; we just stood there and took them,” Reeve said. “In the third quarter, we started to push back, and by the fourth, we understood the physicality and how hard you have to play. Golden State was taking advantage of it, but we began to return the favor. Offensively, we evolved—a big fourth quarter, we understood opportunities, broke plays to make plays. The offense wasn’t going to be pretty, we had to create.”
The @minnesotalynx ended the game on a 26-11 run to win Game 2 of the first round series against the Valkyries, 75-74 ✔️
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 18, 2025
The Lynx overcame a 63-49 deficit heading into the 4Q. It marks the fourth largest 4Q comeback in a Playoff win in WNBA history.
Napheesa Collier – 24 PTS |… pic.twitter.com/MTXaddyltU
McBride credited the Valkyries for making every possession a battle, noting how their defensive pressure kept the Lynx out of rhythm for much of the night. Golden State stunted into passing lanes, packed the paint and turned every Minnesota action into a grind.
“Physicality—they were more in the gaps, stunting more, making it tough to get to our spots,” McBride said. “It’s tough to play a team three times in a row. They made good adjustments and hit tough shots, especially the three-ball, which they’re known for.”
Reeve said her team had to abandon its script to survive. The Lynx, known for execution in half-court sets, were forced to improvise as Golden State closed off their playbook. Instead of waiting for designed looks, Minnesota had to trust instincts and lean on individual reads.
“They really forced us to break plays to make plays,” she said. “They weren’t giving us easy looks off our sets. We had to adjust by finding better reads and matching physicality.”
Valkyries Leave a Lasting Impression
The loss ended Golden State’s season, but not without leaving its mark. Burton’s all-around effort, Billings’ spark off the bench and the team’s cohesion earned praise from Minnesota.
“Their commitment to identity—what they do repeatedly, over and over,” Reeve said. “When you walk out, you know their identity, which is a sign of a great coach and team. No point did we think this was going to be a two-game series. I’m really proud we found a way to win despite the craziness; credit to our team and to Golden State for being a game away from sixth place.”
McBride said the Valkyries’ culture resonated throughout the matchup, pointing to how their confidence and chemistry carried them deep into games. Even as a first-year team, Golden State played with the belief of a contender.
“They play so hard,” she said. “You can tell they’re well coached and have an identity they stick to. The atmosphere as an expansion team is amazing. It starts with Burton and spreads—it’s contagious. They have a lot of players who believe in each other.”
Veronica Burton had nothing but love for Valkyries fans following the loss to the Lynx last night
— WNBA Today on CLNS (@WNBAonCLNS) September 18, 2025
“They ride for us, no matter what the outcome is from the very 1st preseason game, like it has been a dream come true for all of us…you wanna give it your all for them, because… pic.twitter.com/9gK86PiFRn
Sellout Crowd of 18,543 Signals WNBA Growth
With Chase Center occupied by the Laver Cup, the Valkyries played their first playoff home game at SAP Center in San Jose. A sellout crowd of 18,543 filled the NHL arena, and Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski sat courtside alongside owner Joe Lacob.
“Unbelievable. So loud, so fun,” McBride said. “What they’ve built is incredible; the fans are awesome. As an opposing player, environments like this are really fun—18,000 people screaming. I’m sure it was fun for the home team too.”
Reeve said the scene reflected both Golden State’s momentum and the WNBA’s growth. The 18,543 in attendance gave the Valkyries a true playoff atmosphere, even in a temporary home arena. The crowd’s energy showed how quickly the Bay Area embraced its new team.
“Their energy, their passion—they’re in it the whole way, no lulls,” Reeve said. “The fans willed the team at times. Even with unique venue challenges, the environment was electric. Sounded different, a bit colder in the hockey arena, but it’s good for the league. Hope the WNBA moves forward from these venue issues—it’s good business now.”
I’ve never seen anything like this. The Valkyries lost but the crowd stayed on their feet. GSV chants throughout. They’ve set the gold standard for a WNBA fanbase. pic.twitter.com/KHFVPW2AvV
— Matt Lively (@mattblively) September 18, 2025
Closing With Confidence
The Lynx not only advanced but earned extra rest before the semifinals. Reeve said Williams’ late shot summed up her reliability in the clutch.
“She just knows that—I was on her all game, needed my big three,” Reeve said. “Against Golden State over four games, she hadn’t played her best, but tonight she got to the right place. We count on her energy, belief, hype for teammates. She’s the type who wants that shot, doesn’t care what happened before—why we call her Dory, she forgets everything and steps up. She was tough and made the shot.”
Collier said winning the series in two games underscored the team’s identity. For a roster that has emphasized toughness and resiliency all season, finding a way back from 17 down on the road showed the character they believe separates them.
“Any rest you get is huge at this time of year,” she said. “Games are very physical, so getting those days off, recovering, taking care of bodies—that’s a big advantage. It also sets the tone for how we want to play, winning with grit and resilience, which we’ve been talking about for two years. We were down 17 on the road, tough place, but made plays and got stops. I’m proud of us.”
Reeve emphasized that finishing early could be the difference later in the postseason. With a veteran team, maximizing recovery and avoiding the grind of a third game against a physical opponent could pay off in the semifinals.
“If you have a win, don’t get complacent—playoffs are long,” she said. “Taking care of business in two is huge. Now we get rest, which is critical at this time of year.”
The Lynx will now turn their focus to the semifinals. They will face the winner of Friday’s decisive Game 3 between the New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury.
