Game Story
The very first Golden State Valkyries playoff game was a shellacking at the hands of the Minnesota Lynx. The very first Golden State Valkyries playoff game at (their temporary) home?
The home crowd surely wasn’t going to allow that to happen again.
For those of you unfamiliar with California geography, it’s about a one hour drive from San Francisco to San Jose, closer to two hours during rush hour, where the Valkyries were playing due to a scheduling conflict at Chase Center. Kudos their fans, who
could be heard through the television screens. They arrived in droves and were rocking at SAP Center.
The Valkyries clearly fed off that energy, as they have all season.
It only helped to fuel their fervor when they crowned Veronica Burton and Head Coach Natalie Nakase as the Most Improved Player and Coach of the Year right before tip-off.
Much to Minnesota’s chagrin, Golden State burst out of the gates just like they did in the first game. They out did their impressive first quarter 5 of 8 (62.5%) mark from distance to the tune of 5 of 6 (83.3%) tonight. Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve could not have been pleased, as she had previously lectured her team about slow starts and allowing their opponent to get loose from deep.
The Valkyries threatened a double-digit lead often, but just when it looked like the Lynx were going to hit their stride in the second quarter like in game one, it was Golden State that kept the pressure on. Monique Billings impressively swatted a Napheesa Collier fadeaway before using an early seal in transition to score a layup, finally pushing her team ahead by 11 points.
The home team ballooned their lead up to 15 just before halftime off a putrid nine-point second quarter for the Lynx.
Bridget Carleton, who scored just two points on one field goal attempt in game one, exploded for nine points to start the second half. She drilled three triples while Collier started to heat up. Minnesota’s defense was feeding their offense, helping slice a 17-point deficit all the way down to just eight.
However, Golden State always seemed to have an answer in the form of a three pointer. They pushed their advantage back up to 14 as they headed into the final period. Things looked dire for the number one seed.
But this is the Minnesota Lynx we’re talking about.
It took them just over three minutes of actual game time to rattle off a 11-0 run to open the fourth quarter. It was a one possession game within a blink of an eye. Golden State continued to lean on former Lynx, Cecilia Zandalasini, for an answer. She buried a tough jumper at the end of the shot clock, feeding a five-point Valkyrie response.
This was just the start of a wild back-and-forth quarter.
Both teams wrestled for control of the game with dramatic turns left and right. Collier missed free throws. Dijonai Carrington banked in a deep triple. Jump balls were called. Multiple wild loose ball sequences. It all culminated in a pair of clutch mid range numbers by Collier and Courtney Williams to push them ahead 75-72 with just under 30 seconds remaining.
Golden State converted on a perfectly executed play out of a timeout, taking all of just 1.5 seconds to do so. With a four second game-to-shot clock differential, Minnesota (accidentally?) sat on the ball and quite literally handed the ball back to the Valkyries for a chance to seal the game and extend their season.
They would turn to the player that had come through for them all night.
It was an emotional comeback victory for a Lynx team that has done this all season. They continue to prove time and time again that they are for real. They faced a ton of adversity and had every reason to mail it in down 17, in the second half, and on the road. They could’ve easily lived to fight another day, going back home to try and clinch in game three.
But no.
This is a team of fighters. Ballhalla found out.
Quick Hits
- Before talking more about the Lynx, you have to credit the Golden State Valkyries. The players. The coaching staff. The front office. The fans. It was just a helluva a season where they absolutely should walk away with their heads held high. They will be a force to be reckoned with in due time.
- Napheesa Collier is always the head of the snake. She got loose in the second half, totaling for 24 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal on 10 of 16 (62.5%) field goals. Even for Collier, it didn’t feel like her night though, as evidenced by the 3 of 7 (42.9%) mark from the charity stripe. Phee is a 90.6% free throw shooter.
- You have to give flowers to Bridget Carleton, who was a big part of the second half offense. She drilled 4 of 6 triples while battling hard on the defensive end, as she always does. Undersized, oversized, she’s there. She finished with a game-high +10 +/-.
- Kayla McBride was the best player when the game was in the balance. She was a perfect 3 of 3 from the field in the fourth quarter while also masterfully defending Zandalasini on the final possession. McBuckets finished with 18 points, 4 rebounds, 3 dimes, and 2 steals.
- Another fourth quarter hero was Dijonai Carrington, who exited the game late due to a potential ankle (or shoe?) issue. She drilled two big triples and was all over the place on defense, as she’s known for. Hopefully it was nothing serious at the end.
- Cheryl Reeve continues to call Courtney Williams “Dori” in media availability, for her ability to have short-term memory. She was a cold 2 of 8 from the field before she hit the biggest (and final) shot of the game.
Highlights
Coming soon
Box Score
Up Next
Breathe.
It feels like the real test begins in the semi-finals. The Lynx now await the winner of game three between the New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury. Phoenix staved off elimination on the road today by decimating New York. Their reward is to go home with a chance to dethrone the reigning champs this Friday, September 19th. The winner will have a short turnaround as Minnesota be waiting to host them for game one on Sunday, September 21st.
