Golden State Valkyries vs Minnesota Lynx Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Monday August 24 2026

Today’s Golden State Valkyries vs Minnesota Lynx picks for Monday, August 24, 2026, come from Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Minnesota owns the league’s best record and has never lost to Golden State, while the Valkyries are trying to stop a two-game skid before the World Cup break.

Minnesota is favored by 5.5 points, with the total set at 161.5. Bettors reviewing Monday’s WNBA picks should account for Minnesota’s season-series dominance, Courtney Williams’s absence and the available WNBA player props before the 8:00 PM EDT tipoff on USA Network.

Best Available Odds for Golden State Valkyries vs Minnesota Lynx

• Spread: Golden State Valkyries +5.5 | Minnesota Lynx -5.5
• Total: Over 161.5 | Under 161.5

Game Info

• Date: Monday, August 24, 2026
• Time: 8:00 PM EDT
• Location: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
• TV: USA Network, KPIX+ and KMAX
• Key Availability: Minnesota has ruled Courtney Williams out with a right foot injury, while Napheesa Collier is available after resting Friday. Golden State’s only listed absence is Iliana Rupert, who is out for the season.

Golden State Valkyries vs Minnesota Lynx Preview

Golden State enters at 25-11 after losing 73-70 in Chicago on Friday. The Valkyries erased most of a 21-point deficit before Sydney Taylor hit the winning three with less than a second remaining.

The loss was Golden State’s second straight after Minnesota beat the Valkyries 77-66 at Chase Center two nights earlier. Golden State had won six consecutive games before the current skid.

Gabby Williams remains the most important two-way player. She struggled against Minnesota on August 19 and played only 14 minutes in Chicago, although coach Natalie Nakase indicated the limited workload was not injury-related.

Veronica Burton gives Golden State its primary ball-handler and perimeter defender. She must create enough pressure against Minnesota’s guards to prevent the Lynx from dictating the pace from the opening possession.

The Valkyries are 19-16 ATS overall. Their road ATS record is 9-7, giving them a profitable profile away from Chase Center.

Minnesota enters at 31-7 after a 94-84 win at Washington on Friday. The Lynx have won six consecutive games and remain in position to clinch the No. 1 playoff seed.

Olivia Miles led the Washington win with 24 points and seven assists. The rookie has become one of the league’s most productive guards and gives Minnesota a scorer and playmaker capable of controlling the game without requiring every possession to run through Collier.

Collier returns after sitting out Friday for rest. Her two-way versatility is the biggest individual matchup problem for Golden State because she can score from several areas while defending across positions.

The significant absence is Courtney Williams. Minnesota has ruled its starting guard out with a right foot injury suffered late in Friday’s win over Washington.

Williams’s absence removes another ball-handler and mid-range scorer from the rotation. Minnesota has enough depth to compensate, but it matters when the Lynx are laying more than five points against the second-best team in the standings.

Minnesota is 20-16 ATS overall. The Lynx are only 8-11 ATS at home despite owning a dominant 14-5 straight-up record at Target Center.

That home ATS split is the strongest statistical argument for Golden State. Minnesota wins frequently at home but has not consistently created enough separation to cover favorite prices.

The season series is 3-0 Minnesota. The Lynx won 87-84 at Target Center on June 4, then won 81-75 at Golden State on June 19.

The most recent meeting came August 19, when Minnesota won 77-66 at Chase Center. The Lynx built a large lead before Golden State attempted another comeback.

The totals profile points lower than Minnesota’s season record might suggest. Golden State is 16-19 to the over, while Minnesota is 22-15.

The three 2026 meetings produced 171, 156 and 143 points. Scoring has declined each time the teams have met, and the last two both finished below Monday’s 161.5.

Matchup Breakdown

Minnesota should use Collier and Miles to test Golden State’s switching defense. The Lynx can punish mismatches with Collier while Miles attacks the gaps created by help.

Golden State needs Burton and Williams to disrupt Minnesota before the Lynx get comfortable in the half court. The Valkyries have a better chance to stay inside the number if their defense creates transition offense.

The WNBA betting trends slightly favor Golden State at the current spread. The Valkyries are 19-16 ATS, while Minnesota is 20-16 but only 8-11 ATS at home.

Monday pricing has varied between Minnesota -4.5 and -5.5 at major books. The current -5.5 asks the Lynx to create a larger margin than two of the three season meetings, while Williams’s absence reduces some of Minnesota’s backcourt depth.

The total has also been offered anywhere from the high 150s into the low 160s. At 161.5, the under becomes more attractive because the last two meetings finished at 156 and 143.

Game Thesis: Minnesota is the better team and has won every matchup with Golden State, but the Lynx are only 8-11 ATS at home and will be without Courtney Williams. Golden State has enough defensive depth to keep the game competitive and receives 5.5 points. Golden State +5.5 is the preferred side, with Minnesota projected to win 80-77.

Golden State Valkyries vs Minnesota Lynx Best Bet - Spread: Golden State Valkyries +5.5

Minnesota’s 3-0 season-series record is the obvious concern, but two of those victories were decided by six points or fewer.

The current 5.5 gives Golden State enough protection to survive another competitive loss, especially with Minnesota missing one of its starting guards.

The Lynx have also struggled to cover home prices, going 8-11 ATS despite winning 14 of 19 games at Target Center.

The position remains playable at Golden State +5 or better. It becomes less attractive below +4.

Golden State Valkyries vs Minnesota Lynx Moneyline Pick: No Bet

Minnesota is the preferred straight-up side because of its 31-7 record and complete control of the head-to-head series.

Golden State’s value comes from the spread rather than requiring the Valkyries to end a nine-game losing streak against Minnesota outright.

Golden State Valkyries vs Minnesota Lynx Spread Pick: Golden State Valkyries +5.5

Golden State is 19-16 ATS and 9-7 on the road, while Minnesota is only 8-11 ATS at home.

Courtney Williams’s absence also removes an important creator from a favorite being asked to win by six.

Golden State Valkyries vs Minnesota Lynx Total Pick: Under 161.5

The last two meetings finished with 156 and 143 combined points, and Golden State is 16-19 to the over for the season.

Minnesota remains capable of creating a higher-scoring game, but its defense has consistently bothered Golden State. Under 161.5 is the preferred secondary play.

Prediction: Minnesota Lynx 80, Golden State Valkyries 77