Lynx Victorious
Nia Coffey leads first-place Lynx to 81-75 victory over Valkyries with 22 points
The Minnesota Lynx erased a halftime deficit to beat the Golden State Valkyries 81-75 on June 19, 2026, at Chase Center in San Francisco. The win pushed Minnesota to 13-3, the best record in the WNBA. AP News reported that Nia Coffey led the way with 22 points on just 11 shots, while Courtney Williams added 21 points and a season-high 12 rebounds.
The Lynx trailed 46-38 at halftime before flipping the game with an 8-0 run to open the third quarter. Golden State never fully recovered, despite a career-high 23 points from Cecilia Zandalasini that kept the Valkyries within striking distance until the final seconds.
Lynx Erase Eight-Point Halftime Deficit with Third-Quarter Run
Minnesota looked sluggish in the first half, trailing by eight points at the break. But the Lynx opened the third quarter with an 8-0 run that forced an early Golden State timeout and flipped the lead to 50-49, according to The Star. From that point on, Minnesota held control of the game's pace.
Olivia Miles, the Lynx rookie, had a rough shooting night. But she still made two key free throws late in the fourth quarter to push the lead to 73-67. She then sealed the win by blocking Zandalasini's final three-point attempt with the Valkyries trailing by six, according to The Hour.
Nia Coffey Delivers with Efficiency and Veteran Poise
Coffey went 7-of-11 from the field and hit three three-pointers. Her 22 points on just 11 shots made her one of the most efficient forwards in the WNBA this season. She also added five assists and played strong defense throughout. Fans on social media called her "one of the most consistent and essential performers" on the roster.
Courtney Williams matched Coffey's energy. Her 21 points came alongside a season-high 12 rebounds and five assists, according to LMT Online. Kayla McBride chipped in 17 points and led the team in steals. The Lynx had three players score 17 or more points — a sign of the team's depth.
Zandalasini's Career Night Not Enough for Golden State
Cecilia Zandalasini gave the Valkyries every chance to win. She scored a career-high 23 points and hit a late three-pointer to close the gap in the final minute. Gabby Williams added 15 points and 8 rebounds. But Golden State's offense outside of those two players was limited, and turnovers cost the Valkyries key possessions down the stretch.
The loss ended Golden State's four-game winning streak, according to LMT Online. The Valkyries fall to 10-6 on the season. Critics online called it "the dumbest loss of the season," pointing to poor late-game execution and five points gifted to Minnesota at the end of the first half. Golden State now travels to face the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday.
Minnesota Stands Alone Atop the WNBA at 13-3
The Lynx have now won two straight games against Golden State this season. They beat the Valkyries 87-84 on June 4 in Minneapolis. Coach Cheryl Reeve has built a physical defensive system that analysts say is "perfectly built for the league's new whistle-heavy environment." Minnesota's mix of veteran talent and rookie impact gives the team real title potential.
The Lynx host the Washington Mystics next on Sunday, June 21. At 13-3, Minnesota has the cushion to rest key players and still compete. No other team in the WNBA has fewer than four losses. The Lynx look like the clear favorite heading into the second half of the season.
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