Minnesota Lynx dominate Golden State Valkyries in 101–72 victory
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Napheesa Collier scored 20 points to lead five players in double figures and the Minnesota Lynx breezed to a 101-72 victory over the Golden State Valkyries on Sunday in Game 1 of the best-of-three first-round WNBA series.
Collier hit 7 of 11 shots with a 3-pointer and all five of her free throws, adding six rebounds.
Natisha Hiedeman made two 3-pointers and scored 18 for the Lynx, while Kayla McBride added 17. Jessica Shepard had 12 points and eight rebounds and Courtney Williams pitched in with 11 points and four steals.
Veronica Burton and Cecilia Zandalasini both scored 14 to lead Golden State. Burton added seven assists and three steals but also had seven of the Valkyries' 16 turnovers. Janelle Salaün had 13 points and eight rebounds and Temi Fágbénlé scored 12 before fouling out.
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Burton hit two 3-pointers for Golden State in an 11-4 run to start the game and the Valkyries led 28-21 after one quarter.
McBride had two baskets in a 12-3 run to begin the second period and Minnesota moved in front 33-31. McBride had 14 points by halftime and Collier scored 11 for a 47-39 lead.
Alanna Smith hit a 3-pointer with 8:47 left in the third quarter for a 52-42 advantage and Minnesota led by double digits the rest of the way. DiJonai Carrington sank two 3-pointers and Williams hit one in the final 70 seconds as the Lynx took a 79-58 lead into the final period.
The Valkyries are still looking for their first win over the Lynx in their first year in the league after losing all four regular-season matchups — three by double digits.
Minnesota's 34-10 record led the league. Golden State will host Game 2 on Wednesday.
The drive for 5 begins: ‘I want a W in the chat for the playoffs’
Aaron Komo of Minneapolis is still debating dying his hair pink in support of the Minnesota Lynx.
Decked out in Lynx merch, Komo and his husband, Eric Komo, are excited to be back for another playoff run after becoming fans during last year’s playoffs.
The pink hair of many fans — but not Aaron Komo, at least not yet — is a nod to the viral sensation created by Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman. They’ve dyed their hair neon pink, a look they’re sported throughout the season. And now it’s become a trend that the franchise has embraced, giving out pastel pink wigs to fans Thursday at their final regular season game.
This motif is now sported by many players on the team. Collier, Carleton and McBride added pink strands into their braids and hair. Assistant Coach Rebekkah Brunson donned pink shoes and Carrington returned to action wearing her trademark bubblegum pink blush for the game.
It transcended the court, with a sea of pink wings, t-shirts and hats in the stands.
“When you walk around Target Center, and you walk and you see these fans, it’s the greatest representation that I’ve seen in the state of Minnesota,” Aaron Komo said. “I’m originally from Hawaii, lived in New York, been living in Minnesota for 10 years, and there is nothing like the crowd at a Lynx game that feels more rich, more diverse, more joyful.”
After Golden State jumped out to lead early in the game, the tension set in across the arena.
At halftime, Aaron Komo and his husband nervously made the rounds through the concourse.
“I'll be honest, it's more stressful than I want it to be,” Aaron Komo said. “But what I am loving is that everyone is contributing. You know, that's the magic of them. So I have faith in that.”
It’s a faith the entire arena was infected with on Sunday, especially after the team’s heartbreaking loss to the New York Liberty in last year’s WNBA Finals.
“I hope that they get justice. I mean, they're on the revenge tour. I hope they win it all, because they deserve that,” Brenda Nelson of Shakopee said.
Nelson, like many fans, is in awe of the player’s athleticism, but has also fallen in love with the play of guard Kayla McBride and her identity off the court.
“She’s a total hooper, a baller,” Nelson said. “And she’s just a kind person, I think, like she’s just a great human being all around.”
As for the craze that took the “W” by storm, the StudBudz duo of Williams and Hiedeman have also been a major opportunity for fans to connect with the team. Not only through things like wigs and personal stories, but also through an authenticity the WNBA has been known for and is constantly working to evolve and protect.
“I love the whole just like black, masc, queer joy of it all. I mean, we don’t have that in some of our most safest, joyful spaces. And what they are giving in the two of them, it just there's so much to be learned from that friendship," Aaron Komo said.
As for the Komos, they feel special to call the Lynx their home team.
“I've been saying this year that not a lot of people feel like they’re winning this year or lately, except for the Lynx and Lynx fans. They feel like they’re winning,” Aaron Komo said. “I think you can't not watch the StudBudz and feel happy and feel like you're winning and feel like you're a part of something.”
Aaron and Eric Komo just hope this year can come with “a W in the chat for the playoffs.”
