MINNESOTA LYNX (1-0) 101 , GOLDEN STATE VALKYRIES (0-1) 72
September 14, 2025
Lynx notes
Player Notes
• Napheesa Collier posted a game-high 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting (63.6%) from the floor, including one from deep, and a perfect 5-of-5 from the line. Collier added six rebounds (one offensive), two assists and a steal, marking her 13th career-postseason game tallying 20+ points and five+ rebounds.
• Kayla McBride registered 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%) from the field, notching three from deep, while also adding three rebounds, one assist and ah steal. Since her first postseason appearance in 2014, McBride has now scored 15+ points, two+ three-point field goals, and two+ rebounds in 14 postseason games.
• In 26:19 minutes off the bench of her 50th career playoff appearance, Natisha Hiedeman recorded a postseason career-high 18 points on 7-of-13 (53.8%) shooting from the floor. Hiedeman added three rebounds, four assists and a steal on the night, marking her 12th career playoff game scoring double figures.
• In 17:11 minutes off the bench, Jessica Shepard made her postseason debut, scoring 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting (57.1%) from the floor, including a perfect 4-of-4 from the line, and adding a game-high eight rebounds (four offensive), four assists and a steal.
• Courtney WIlliams filed the stat sheet today, recording 11 points, four rebounds, four assists, four steals and a block. Williams’ four steals tied her playoff career-high, she matched the same amount from last year’s first round matchup against the Mercury.
Team Notes
• Minnesota’s 29-point margin of victory is the largest postseason win in franchise history.
• Today marked Cheryl Reeve’s 414th regular season + playoff win, placing her first all-time in the category:
1. Cheryl Reeve – 414
2. Mike Thibault – 413
3. Bill Laimbeer – 343
4. Brian Agler – 311
5. Sandy Brondello – 310
• Minnesota outscored Golden State points in the paint, 44-18 throughout the contest, also keeping the Valkyries to just 20-of-59 (33.9%) from the field.
• Today’s contest marked Minnesota’s fourth highest-scoring playoff game in franchise history:
1. Sept. 28, 2016 vs. PHX – 113
2. Sept. 25, 2011 vs. PHX – 103
3. Sept. 22, 2024 vs. PHX – 102
4. Oct. 5, 2011 vs. ATL – 101
Sept. 12, 2017 – 101
Sept. 25, 2024 vs PHX – 101
Sept. 14, 2025 vs GSV – 101
• Throughout the final three quarters, the Valkyries shot 11-of-41 (26.8%) from the floor, while the Lynx shot 27-of-48 (56.3%) from the field.
(info courtesy of Lynx)
