The WNBA playoffs are here, and it’s a classic 1 vs. 8 showdown: the Minnesota Lynx against the league’s newest team, the Golden State Valkyries. Minnesota comes in scorching, finishing 34-10 — tying the 2023 Aces for most wins in a season — and sweeping Golden State 4-0 in the regular series. Leading the charge is Napheesa Collier, who just put together a historic 50/40/90 season, becoming only the second player in league history to hit that mark. Fresh off averaging elite efficiency, she’ll be the engine as the Lynx chase a record fifth championship.

Golden State, meanwhile, might be the underdog, but they’re no ordinary No. 8 seed. Their 23-21 record is the best ever for a WNBA expansion franchise, and Cecilia Zandalasini’s return from a calf injury could be huge. She’s been lights-out from deep, hitting 44% on nearly five attempts a game, while also bringing size and defensive versatility. With Kayla Thornton sidelined, Zandalasini’s role becomes even more critical for a Valkyries team boasting the league’s third-highest scoring bench at 24.4 points per game. This matchup? A juggernaut chasing history versus a fearless newcomer hungry to make some.

Where to watch the Minnesota Lynx vs. Golden State Valkyries WNBA playoffs game 1?

The WNBA Finals are going best-of-seven for the first time, but first up is the Valkyries’ playoff debut. Game 1 tips Sunday at 1 p.m. ET live on ESPN. Fans can also catch select playoff games on SiriusXM — channels are listed on their official website. If you prefer streaming, you can watch every game live with WNBA League Pass or Fubo, which even offers a free trial for new subscribers. Plenty of options to make sure you don’t miss a single moment of the postseason action!