The Golden State Valkyries beat the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx 80-66 for their first-ever win against the franchise at Target Center on Monday. The Valkyries were previously 0-6 against the Lynx in the regular season and 0-3 in the postseason, but ended the skid emphatically, defeating Minnesota by the largest margin of any Lynx opponent this season (14) and holding them to a season-low in points (66). Former Lynx guard Cecilia Zandalasini led all scorers with 18 points and was joined by four teammates — Gabby Williams (15 PTS), Veronica Burton (14 PTS), Tiffany Hayes (14 PTS) and Janelle Salaün (12 PTS) — who scored in double figures. With the win, Golden State prevents Minnesota from clinching the first seed and moves within four games of them with seven games remaining. The Valkyries are a game ahead of the Las Vegas Aces for second place and two games ahead of the fifth-place Indiana Fever.
Highlights: Golden State Valkyries 80 - Minnesota Lynx 66 | 8/24/26
SALAÜN BEATS FIRST-QUARTER BUZZER
Janelle Salaün ended the first quarter in style, finishing off a 2-on-1 fast break with a go-ahead layup that beat the first-quarter buzzer. Salaün’s buzzer beater was her third basket of the opening quarter and helped the Valkyries climb out of an early 8-2 hole. Salaün entered Monday’s game as the highest-scoring reserve in a single season in WNBA history.
VALKYRIES GENERATE TAKEAWAYS, STIFLE LYNX ATTACK
The Valkyries were widely effective defensively against the Lynx, holding them to a season-low 66 points and forcing 18 turnovers, the third-most they’ve had in a game this season. Golden State consistently played zone defense against the Lynx and generated most of their steals by getting in the passing lanes. The Valkyries had 12 steals and three different starters had multiple — Veronica Burton tied a career-high with five steals, Gabby Williams had two and Cecilia Zandalasini also had two. Lynx star guard and MVP candidate Olivia Miles was held to just eight points on 3-for-12 shooting with four turnovers — she has been held to single-digits in scoring twice this season and both times were by the Valkyries. Another Lynx star, Napeesha Collier, was held to her fewest point total of the season, scoring just nine points on 10 shots.
Natalie Nakase Postgame Press Conference | 8/24/26
Veronica Burton and Cecilia Zandalasini Postgame Press Conference | 8/21/26
BURTON’S FOURTH QUARTER ZONE
Veronica Burton was in the zone in the fourth quarter, rattling off seven straight Valkyries points. Burton started her flurry with a deep 27-foot 3-pointer and then blew by Olivia Miles with a lethal crossover dribble, finishing at the rim with her left hand. She again attacked in isolation against Miles and capped the stretch by catching her leaning with a step-back in the mid-range. Helped by Burton’s buckets, the Valkyries extended their lead to as large as 19 points in the fourth quarter. Burton became the second player in the league this season to tally at least 14 points, nine assists and five steals in a game, joining Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young.
Highlights: Veronica Burton 14 PTS, 9 AST, 5 STL vs. Minnesota Lynx
UP NEXT
The Valkyries continue their road trip with a back-to-back against the Sun in Connecticut on Wednesday and Liberty in New York on Thursday.
By the Numbers
- Veronica Burton scored 14 points with nine assists and tied her career high with five steals. Burton, who currently holds the WNBA record for career assist-to-turnover ratio at 3.14 (min. 500 career assists), also only had one turnover on the night.
- Cecilia Zandalasini led all scorers with 18 points, 14 of which came in the second half on 50.0 percent (5-10) shooting.
- Gabby Williams added 15 points, seven of which came in the fourth quarter. Williams came into Monday night ranking 10th in the WNBA in fourth quarter points per game at 5.1. Williams also had five rebounds and two steals while being +10.
- Janelle Salaün scored 12 points while adding five rebounds and three assists off the bench for Golden State.
- Tiffany Hayes posted 14 points and four assists. Hayes has scored in double figures in six straight games, and is averaging 13.7 PPG her last six games,
- Golden State held the Lynx to a season-low 66 points, the first time the Lynx have been held under 70 points since June 24, 2025.
- The Valkyries have held their opponents to 70 points or less in a league-leading 11 games this season.
- Minnesota was also held to a season-low 35.6 (21-59) field goal percentage.
- Golden State turned the ball over just six times while forcing 18 from the Lynx, resulting in 21 points off turnovers for the Valkyries.
- The Valkyries limited Lynx guard Olivia Miles, who entered tonight’s matchup averaging 20.0 PPG, to just eight points (one away from her season low).
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