Golden State Valkyries vs Minnesota Lynx Picks and Prediction for Sunday, September 14, 2025
Use Code WWWC The Golden State Valkyries visit the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday for Game 1 of their WNBA first-round best-of-three series. Golden State finished the regular season 23-21 and was 8th in the league standings, finishing 5-5 over the final 10 games, including losing each of the final three. Minnesota finished 34-10 and won the regular-season league title, winning 6 of its final 10, but had clinched first place with a few games remaining and rested several players over the final games of the regular season. Golden State will play without Tiffany Hayes and Kayla Thornton, while Iliana Rupert is day-to-day. Minnesota will play without Aubrey Griffin and Dorka Juhasz, while DiJonai Carrington is questionable. Make sure to read this end up Golden State Valkyries vs Minnesota Lynx prediction. The court is calling! Discover our WNBA picks for Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx prediction and rule the game.
Pushing Forward
During the regular season, the Golden State Valkyries were 10th in scoring, averaging 78.3 points per game, and first in points allowed at 76.4 points per game. Golden State shot 40.7% overall and 32.5% from 3-point territory, which were 13th and 11th, respectively. The Valkyries held opponents to 40.5% shooting overall and 31.7% from 3-point territory, which were first and 3rd, respectively.
With Kayla Thornton (14.0 ppg) out, Veronica Burton, who averaged 11.9 points per game, was the leading scorer during the regular season, while Tiffany Hayes (out) was second, averaging 11.7 points per game. Golden State had two other players who averaged double figures in scoring. In Thornton’s absence, the leading rebounder was Janelle Salaun with an average of 5.1 rebounds per game. Burton was the leader in assists, averaging 6.0 dishes per contest, steals at 1.1 per game, and blocked shots at 0.6 per game.
Lynx Are Pulling Through
The Minnesota Lynx scored an average of 86.1 points per game, which was 2nd, and allowed an average of 76.7 points per game, which was 2nd. Minnesota shot 47.2% overall and 37.8% from 3-point territory, which were both first. The Lynx held opponents to 42.3% shooting overall and 33.1% from 3-point territory, which were 2nd and 8th, respectively.
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During the regular season, Minnesota’s leading scorer and leading rebounder, Napheesa Collier, averaged 22.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Kayla McBride was second in scoring, averaging 14.2 points per game, and Courtney Williams was third, averaging 13.6 points per game. Williams was the leader in assists at 6.2 per game, and Alanna Smith was the rim protector, averaging 1.9 blocked shots per game, while Collier led in steals at 1.6 per game.
Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx Pick
Spread Pick for Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx
- Minnesota Lynx -12.5 (5 units)
Minnesota was the cream of the crop during the regular season, winning 34 of 44 games and finishing four games ahead of its closest competitor. Minnesota finished second in scoring, while first in both field goal shooting and three-point shooting percentages. At the other end, Minnesota finished second in points allowed, second in field goal shooting percentage allowed, and 8th and three-point shooting percentage. Golden State was tough on defense, finishing first, allowing 76.4 points per game, but was 10th in scoring at 78.3 points per game. The Valkyries had the worst field-goal shooting percentage. Minnesota finished the regular season 14-5-1 ATS at home. Minnesota was 4-0 straight up and 2-2 against the spread in four games head-to-head this season versus Golden State. Minnesota has who is likely the WNBA MVP in Napheesa Collier. She averaged 22.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, and it will be tough for Golden State to contain her. Golden State will play with its leading scorer Kayla Thornton, and third leading scorer, Tiffany Hayes.
Over/Under Pick for Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx
- Under 147.5 (4 units)
The total finished under in three of the four games played between the two this season, including each of the last three. Golden State finished the regular season first in points allowed, and Minnesota was second. Golden State was first in field goal shooting percentage allowed, and Minnesota was second. The playoffs are known for defense increasing its intensity, and that will be the case on Sunday when the two meet.
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