"The team didn't win, but everyone stayed. It wasn't even their building. And still, most of the Golden State Valkyries fans who'd schlepped to an alternate arena in San Jose for the team's first-ever home playoff game stuck around to cheer when the season was over. The WNBA's expansion success story ended on Wednesday, with Golden State's 75-74 Game 2 loss to the champion favorite Minnesota Lynx."
"All season long, the Valkyries earned that fan devotion with their distinct, jittery brand of basketball. Their defense could constrict and expand in sync, aggressively helping to deny drives before darting out to recover. Against the Lynx last night, it worked well. At halftime, the Lynx had scored just 28 points on 12-of-35 shooting, and while the Golden State's scheme generally concedes lots of three-point attempts, Minnesota wasn't cashing in there either."
"As blown leads go, it was a fairly forgivable one. Minnesota eats away at opponents with exhausting efficiency. It is very much like them to coolly plod their way back into a game, which they did, one Napheesa Collier baseline jumper or Kayla McBride floater at a time. In a 26-11 fourth quarter, the Lynx reminded the Valkyries exactly who the No. 8 seed was up against: a team with similar principles, but more talent."
Golden State Valkyries lost Game 2, 75-74, to the Minnesota Lynx in San Jose, ending their season. Fans traveled to an alternate arena and largely stayed after the loss, reflecting strong local support. The Valkyries played a jittery, defense-driven style with synchronized help defense that limited Minnesota to 28 first-half points on 12-of-35 shooting while Minnesota struggled from three. Golden State opened hot, leading 41-28 at half and by 17 in the third. Minnesota chipped away with efficient offense, producing a 26-11 fourth quarter comeback. Coach Natalie Nakase rallied the team immediately after the final buzzer.
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