Postgame Notes: MIN vs GSV (9.18.25)
Published on September 18, 2025 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Minnesota Lynx News Release
MINNESOTA LYNX (2-0) 75, GOLDEN STATE VALKYRIES (0-2) 74
September 17, 2025
Lynx notes
Player Notes
Napheesa Collier posted a game-high 24 points on 10-of-16 shooting (62.5%) from the floor, marking her 15th career playoff game with 20+ points, while also adding seven rebounds, four assists and a steal. In the two-game series, Collier is averaging 22 points per game, ranking third in the league for total postseason points (44) and points per game.
Kayla McBride registered 18 points tonight on 8-of-13 (61.5%) shooting from the field, sinking one from deep, and marking her 17th career playoff game with 15+ points. McBride added four rebounds, three assists, and two steals during the contest, ultimately giving the Lynx their first lead since the first quarter with a layup at 2:48 in the fourth (71-70).
Bridget Carleton's 12 points came entirely from three-point range, going a career-high matching 4-for-6 from deep (66.7%), while notching four of the Minnesota's eight three-point field goals. Carleton also added two rebounds (one offensive) and an assist, marking her eighth postseason game with 10+ points and two+ three-pointers.
In 14:05 minutes off the bench, DiJonai Carrington tallied 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting (44.4%) from the floor, including a career-high matching two from deep, while also adding two rebounds (one offensive) and a block. Tonight marked Carrington's 13th career postseason game with 10+ points.
Team Notes
Minnesota is now the second WNBA team since 2006 to win a contest when trailing by 14+ points in the fourth quarter.
Since 2006, the Lynx were 0-76 when behind by at least 14 points when entering the fourth quarter until tonight, claiming the first-round win 75-74.
Tonight marked Cheryl Reeve's 12th career postseason sweep, putting Minnesota as the only team to complete a first-round sweep in the 2025 WNBA playoffs.
The Lynx dished out 22 assists tonight, totaling a 22-to-12 assist-to-turnover-ratio. Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman each dished out seven assists, becoming the only duo to record seven+ assists in a game in the 2025 WNBA playoffs. After their two-game-series, the Lynx now lead the league in total assists (47) and assists per game (23.5).
The Lynx rejected five shots in tonight's contest against the Valkyries. The effort was led by Alanna Smith (3), with Hiedeman and Carrington contributing a block apiece.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from September 18, 2025
- Indiana Fever Advance to 2025 WNBA Semifinals - Indiana Fever
- Late Rally Lifts Fever Past Dream, into WNBA Semifinals - Indiana Fever
- A'ja Wilson Earns 2025 Kia WNBA Co-Defensive Player of the Year Award - Las Vegas Aces
- Minnesota Lynx's Alanna Smith and Las Vegas Aces' A'ja Wilson Named 2025 Kia WNBA Co-Defensive Players of the Year - WNBA
- First Round, Game 2: Golden State Valkyries at Minnesota Lynx - Postgame Notes and Quotes - Golden State Valkyries
- Postgame Notes: MIN vs GSV (9.18.25) - Minnesota Lynx
- Valkyries Eliminated from 2025 Playoffs by Top-Seeded Minnesota Lynx - Golden State Valkyries
- Postgame Notes: NYL 60, PHO 86 - New York Liberty
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
