Collier's 22 Points Propel Lynx Past Valkyries 82-71

Napheesa Collier delivered an impressive 22-point performance as the Minnesota Lynx secured an 82-71 victory against the Golden State Valkyries on Saturday night.

In a pivotal moment during the third quarter, the Valkyries surged ahead 56-54, fueled by a 10-0 run that featured two consecutive 3-pointers from Tiffany Hayes. However, the Lynx responded decisively, closing the quarter with a 15-4 run to establish a 69-60 advantage heading into the final period.

With just over four minutes remaining, Kayla McBride extended Minnesota's lead to 78-63 with a crucial 3-pointer.

Courtney Williams contributed significantly for the Lynx (16-2) with 15 points, while McBride added 12 to the scoreboard.

On the other side, Hayes shone for Golden State (9-8), scoring a season-high 23 points. Kayla Thornton chipped in with 13 points, though she managed only two after the first quarter. Stephanie Talbot rounded out the scoring with 10 points.

The Lynx showcased their shooting prowess, hitting 53% of their shots and executing a dominant 14-0 run to take a 25-18 lead by the end of the first quarter. The Valkyries started strong with two early 3-pointers but faltered, missing their next eight attempts.

Collier's impact was felt early in the second quarter as she scored six consecutive points, pushing Minnesota to a 10-point lead. She capped off her first-half performance with a 3-pointer at 2:46, giving the Lynx a 41-31 lead. Monique Billings responded for the Valkyries, scoring five straight points to narrow the gap to 41-36 at halftime.

Looking ahead, the Valkyries will face Atlanta on Monday as part of their four-game road trip, while the Lynx prepare to host Chicago on Sunday.