SAN JOSE, Calif. — Napheesa Collier made a go-ahead 18-footer with 1:24 left on the best way to 24 factors, and the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx rallied from a 17-point third-quarter deficit to beat the Golden State Valkyries 75-74 on Wednesday night time and transfer on within the WNBA playoffs.
Collier shot 10-for-16 and adopted up her 20-point efficiency in Sport 1 with a 14-point second half to convey her group again — and provides the Lynx one other probability to maintain chasing that championship they only missed final 12 months.
The Valkyries had one remaining probability with 4 seconds remaining following a shot-clock violation, and Cecilia Zandalasini could not convert a jumper.
Kayla McBride made a go-ahead scoop shot for Minnesota with 2:48 to go after DiJonai Carrington related on a 3-pointer from the left nook with 3:18 remaining to drag Minnesota inside 70-69. McBride wound up with 18 factors
Veronica Burton had 13 factors, 9 assists, six rebounds and 4 steals because the enlargement Valkyries practically prolonged their particular season. Monique Billings scored 15 factors off the bench.
Carrington banked in a 3-pointer with 8:30 left that acquired the Lynx inside 63-56 and McBride’s jumper made it a five-point recreation on the 7:19 mark earlier than Golden State referred to as timeout. The Valkyries instantly dedicated a shot-clock violation and McBride scored once more.
The Valkyries, cheered by their raucous sellout crowd of 18,543, have been in management for a lot of the sport — in contrast to their 101-72 Sport 1 defeat Sunday.
Billings rebounded her personal miss simply earlier than the third-quarter buzzer, scored and transformed a three-point play to place Golden State forward 63-49 going into the ultimate 10 minutes. However Minnesota stored creeping again.
After the ultimate buzzer, followers chanted “GSV!” to have fun a season by which Golden State made WNBA historical past by changing into the primary enlargement franchise to achieve the playoffs in its inaugural season.
And the Valkyries have been unfazed enjoying in an unfamiliar venue for his or her first postseason house recreation. That “Balhalla” home-court benefit needed to relocate practically 50 miles south to the NHL San Jose Sharks’ SAP Heart as a result of the Laver Cup tennis showcase had booked Chase Heart earlier than Golden State had even been granted an enlargement group.
Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski was one of many largest supporters, sitting courtside with proprietor Joe Lacob and Warriors President Brandon Schneider.
Golden State misplaced all 4 regular-season conferences, three by double figures, so this one will each sting and present these girls how shut they’re. Beginning middle Temi Fagbenle was a late scratch Wednesday due to proper knee ache.
Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase was acknowledged earlier than the sport as WNBA Coach of the 12 months and Burton the league’s most improved participant.