Minnesota Lynx, challenged by the Golden State Valkyries, push back for victory

Just under five minutes remained in the third quarter of Saturday’s game at Target Center when the Lynx finally decided enough was enough.

Or, as Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said, “The players decided to play a little harder.”

Pretty much everything about the Lynx’s 82-71 victory over Golden State can be sorted into what came before that and what came after:

Before: Down five at the half, the Valkyries started the second half making eight of 10 shots and all four three-pointers they tried and surging to a 56-54 lead on Stephanie Talbot’s layup with 4:32 left in the quarter.

After: Over the next 8 minutes, 40 seconds Golden State made one of 11 shots, missed all seven three-pointers it shot, was outscored 21-4, fell behind by 16 on Bridget Carleton’s three with 5:52 left in the game, had a two-game winning streak ended.

Before, after.

“They were getting really easy shots,” said Napheesa Collier, who had another night: She scored 22 points on 8-for-11 shooting. She made all five of her free throws, running her streak to 38, tied with Kayla McBride and Katie Smith for fourth-most in franchise history.

“They were open from three,” Collier continued. “They were open in the paint. Getting offensive rebounds. Cutting. We really tried to lock in and get back to what our scheme is.”

An effective plan. The Lynx have much scoring ability — eight players scored in the game, all eight scoring in the first quarter — but it’s usually the defense that makes the difference.

It was Saturday as the Lynx (16-2) won their third straight game and improved to 10-0 at home. Please note: The past four WNBA teams that started a season 10-0 at home all won the league championship — Las Vegas in 2023, Minnesota in 2013, Seattle in 2010 and Detroit (where Reeve was an assistant) in 2008.

Before the game Reeve talked about the Valkyries’ aggressive play and ability to both hit outside shots and get downhill to the rim. All of that was happening while Golden State was pushing to its third-quarter lead, led by Tiffany Hayes, who scored 23 points.

“It’s not that we played without effort completely,” Reeve said. “But it didn’t really get to the level, the energy and passion, to sort of go toe to toe with them.”

But eventually the Lynx put their best foot forward.

Courtney Williams scored 15 points, McBride had 12. Jessica Shepard led the way in the effort department, and the Lynx needed it after center Alanna Smith left the game with a right knee injury early in the third quarter. Shepard scored eight points with 10 rebounds — four on the offensive end — five assists and no turnovers.

“One of our coaches said her effort was otherworldly,” Reeve said.

Said Shepard: “I want to make sure that, any minute I’m on the court, I’m going for the ball every single time. I was able to bring a little energy.”

The Lynx were down two when Collier made two free throws to tie the game. After a Golden State miss, Williams hit a three-pointer. And the Lynx were off. Collier scored five in Minnesota’s 15-4 finish to the third quarter. And then the Lynx held Golden State scoreless for the first 4:09 of the fourth quarter.

The offense, meanwhile, was classic Lynx: Eight players scored five or more points and had at least one assist. Minnesota got assists on 25 of 29 baskets.

“The Lynx have always been known for team basketball,” Collier said. “It’s easy to guard when only one person is scoring. But when everyone’s scoring, you’re moving the ball, that’s impossible to guard.”

BOXSCORE: Lynx 72, Valkyries 61

WNBA standings

After going 5-for-5 in Saturday’s victory over Golden State, Lynx forward Napheesa Collier has hit 38 straight free throws. Here’s where that ranks in Lynx franchise history:

44 straight: Candice Wiggins, from Sept. 9, 2009, through June 6, 2010.

43 straight: Seimone Augustus, from Aug. 8, 2014, through May 27, 2016.

41 straight: Lindsay Whalen, from May 15, 2010, through June 1, 2010

38 straight: Collier (began June 3); Kayla McBride, from May 30, 2021, through July 7, 2021; Katie Smith, from June 10, 2000, through June 24, 2000.