For the past five games, Cheryl Reeve has been playing a bold game of rotation roulette, resting one Lynx starter each night. Against the Fever, it was Napheesa Collier’s turn, and without their superstar, Minnesota fell by double digits. Now the question is, who’s next on the rest list as they face the only expansion team in WNBA history to qualify for the playoffs? Buckle up, it’s Minnesota Lynx vs. Golden State Valkyries time!

The Valkyries have defied all odds just to be here. A win over the Lynx would lock them into the sixth seed and set up a potential first-round clash with either the Aces or the Dream, a massive achievement for an expansion squad. But the road won’t be easy. Since clinching their playoff spot, Golden State has stumbled, dropping both of their games

Both teams enter this matchup having won three of their last five, setting the stage for what could be a playoff-like atmosphere. This one has all the makings of a thriller and will give us a preview of what’s to come if these two sides cross paths again in the postseason. In this preview, we’ll break down everything you need to know.

Minnesota Lynx vs Golden State Valkyries: Where to Watch

Date: Thursday, September 11th
Time: 7:00 PM CT
Venue: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Watch on: FanDuel Sports Network – North / NBA TV
Streaming: Fubo, Paramount+, and ESPN+

Minnesota Lynx vs Golden State Valkyries: Injury report

Minnesota Lynx

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• DiJonai Carrington – OUT
• Napheesa Collier – GAME TIME DECISION

Golden State Valkyries

• Tiffany Hayes – OUT
• Kayla Thornton – OUT

Probable Starting Lineups

Minnesota Lynx

• Jessica Shepard
• Bridget Carleton
• Alanna Smith
• Kayla McBride
• Courtney Williams

Golden State Valkyries

• Janelle Salaun
• Temi Fagbenle
• Iliana Rupert
• Kaila Charles
• Veronica Burton

Prediction: Can the Valkyries secure the 6th seed?

The last time these two teams met, the Lynx came out on top with a hard-fought 78-72 victory. In fact, Minnesota has had Golden State’s number all season, winning all three matchups and with Cheryl Reeve consistently outmaneuvering coach Nakase. The Valkyries will be desperate to flip the script this time and prove they can finally get one over their playoff-bound rivals.

However, it won’t be easy. The Lynx are the number 1 seed for a reason. With 33 wins under their belt, they’ve been dominant on both ends of the floor. They lead the league in points per game and field goal percentage, fueling a league-best 109.8 offensive rating and an incredible +11.7 net rating.

In comparison, the Valkyries have one of the best defenses in the league, restricting their opponents to just 76.4 points per game. But guess who has the best defensive rating in the league? Once again, it’s the Minnesota Lynx. Purely based on numbers, the Lynx look like a far superior team. To make things even more challenging, the Valkyries will be missing key players like Kayla Thornton and Tiffany Hayes.

Naturally, ESPN gives the Lynx a whopping 85% chance of taking the win, and honestly, we’d lean the same way. They’re the stronger team across the board right now. But can the Valkyries pull off a shocker against the odds? Tell us what you think in the comments below!