Top seed Lynx erase 17-point deficit to close out series vs. Valkyries

The top-seeded Minnesota Lynx rallied from 17 points down to close out their first-round WNBA playoff series with the Golden State Valkyries 75-74 on Wednesday in San Jose, Calif.

After sealing the best-of-three set in Game 2, Minnesota will open the semifinals at home on Sunday.

Minnesota lost an early lead with 6:15 remaining in the first quarter and didn't get it back until 2:48 remained in regulation on Kayla McBride's short-range bucket.

Golden State, looking to avoid elimination in the expansion franchise's first-ever playoff series, rode aggressive defense and torrid 3-point shooting to build a double-digit-point lead that spanned most of the second and third quarters.

The Valkyries built their lead thanks in large part to shooting 11-of-22 from beyond the arc. All five Golden State starters made at least one 3-pointer, led by Veronica Burton's 3-of-6 effort.

Burton finished with 13 points, six rebounds and nine assists, with the last of her assists coming on a driving dish to Kaila Charles for a corner 3-pointer. Charles' triple was part of a 5-0 run in the fourth quarter after Minnesota scored the period's first 11 points to pull within three points.

Golden State's push, which gave the Valkyries a 68-60 lead with 5:45 to go, short-lived.

Minnesota responded with an 11-2 run, pulling ahead on the McBride basket for two of her 18 points. Napheesa Collier, who scored a game-high 24 points on 10-of-16 shooting, put the Lynx ahead for good on a long baseline jumper with 1:24 remaining.

The Lynx's Courtney Williams attacked an opening in the defense off the dribble and sank a 17-foot jumper for a 75-72 edge with 29.8 seconds left.

Cecilia Zandalasini responded with a layup moments later, but she missed a shot for the win at the buzzer.

Williams scored six points to go with her seven assists. Bridget Carleton added 12 points for Minnesota, and DiJonai Carrington put up 11 points off the bench.

Monique Billings came off the bench to score a team-high 15 points for Golden State, which was the first expansion franchise in league history to make the playoffs in its inaugural season. Zandalasini and Janelle Salaun each added 14 points.

A potential rematch of the 2024 WNBA Finals awaits in the next round for Minnesota if the New York Liberty can get past the Mercury on Friday in Phoenix.

--Field Level Media