Valkyries’ season ends as Golden State collapses in decisive Game 2 vs. Lynx

SAN JOSE The Valkyries were right there After suffering a -point loss in Event of the best-of-three first-round WNBA series Golden State had the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx on the ropes in Competition The Valkyries held a double-digit lead going into the final minutes before a charged-up crowd at SAP Center in San Jose But in the end it just wasn t meant to be for the expansion crew Minnesota completed a furious fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Valkyries - and advance to the second round Cecilia Zandalasini s fadeaway jumper at the buzzer to win the competition and send the series back to Minnesota bounced off the rim Monique Billings came off the bench and scored points to lead the Valkyries Zandalasini and Janelle Sala n each had points Veronica Burton had points nine assists and six rebounds Starting center Temi F gb nl was a late scratch with right-knee pain Napheesa Collier had points and seven rebounds to lead Minnesota The Lynx will play the winner of the Phoenix Mercury-New York Liberty series As they did in Contest the Valkyries got off to a hot start Golden State hit five of its first six -pointers to take an eight-point lead into the second quarter Kate Martin came off the bench with just under a minute left and scored a cutting layup and a rainbow from the corner to give the home crew an immediate boost The Valkyries carried their momentum into the second quarter Despite a slow start they grew their lead to as big as behind an inspired quarter from Billings The former UCLA standout scored four points and was instrumental in keeping Collier to just first-half points Golden State hit -of- -pointers in the first half Every player who entered the battle before halftime except for Carla Leite recorded a basket to help the Valkyries take a - lead at the midway point Minnesota cut the Valkyries lead to as little as eight in the third quarter but Golden State kept its foot on the gas to maintain a -point lead going into the fourth quarter The Lynx opened the final period with a quick - run that forced Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase to call a timeout three minutes into the frame Related Articles Valkyries bring power pageantry to San Jose dub SAP Center Ballhalla South for historic WNBA playoff event Valkyries Natalie Nakase named WNBA coach of the year Valkyries take playoff meeting to San Jose where women s hoops has plenty of history Win or go home Valkyries face monumental Event vs Lynx Valkyries guard Veronica Burton wins WNBA majority of improved award Golden State expeditiously responded with a shot clock-beating stepback jumper from Zandalasini and a transition from Kaila Charles to rebuild the advantage to eight But it was all downhill from there Minnesota outscored the Valkyries - from that point to seal the win Subscribe to our special Valkyries newsletter for event analysis scores and everything you want to know about the band from Ballhalla