The Golden State Valkyries are staring down the barrel of playoff elimination, and it’s getting real. After a crushing 101-72 loss to the Minnesota Lynx in Game 1 of their playoff series, the team’s dream inaugural season is hanging by a thread.

An Underdog’s Last Stand

Natalie Nakase’s squad started strong, dropping five first-quarter three-pointers and building an early 28-21 lead. But the Lynx, led by MVP-frontrunner Napheesa Collier, quickly crushed those hopes with a dominant performance that exposed the Valkyries’ playoff inexperience.

When Dreams Meet Reality

The game was a brutal wake-up call. The Valkyries’ second-ranked defense crumbled, allowing 100-plus points for only the third time this season. With a 48-18 points-in-the-paint deficit, it was clear Minnesota came to play.

One Last Shot

Now, the team faces an elimination game at SAP Center in San José. Veronica Burton and her teammates know they need a miracle - a complete 40-minute performance against a stacked Lynx team that’s already beaten them five times this season.

“We get to go to ‘Ballhalla’ and play in front of our amazing fans,” Coach Nakase said, holding onto hope. “We have to do our job”.