MINNEAPOLIS — The Valkyries opened their first-ever playoff game against the Minnesota Lynx with a promising start. 

The expansion team was hitting shots, getting stops and looked comfortable in front of a rowdy Minnesota crowd for Game 1 of the teams’ first-round playoff series. 

But the Valkyries’ momentum evaporated quickly as the Lynx’s star power, again, proved to be too much. 

Golden State dropped Game 1 on the road 101-72 as it couldn’t stop Minnesota’s high-octane offense after holding an early lead in the first quarter. It was the Valkyries’ worst loss since falling to the Connecticut Sun by 31 points on July 27.

Cecilia Zandalasini and Veronica Burton each had 14 points to lead the Valkyries. Temi Fágbénlé had 12 points — all coming in the first half.

MVP candidate Napheesa Collier had 20 points and six rebounds for the Lynx. Kayla McBride added 17 points. Natisha Hiedeman came off the bench and had 18 points. 

Minnesota shot 51.5% from the field and hit 21-of-24 free throws. Golden State was held to 33.9% shooting and turned the ball over 16 times, which led to 16 Lynx points. 

The Valkyries have now lost all five games they’ve played against the Lynx. 

Unlike Thursday’s regular-season finale, the Valkyries started off hot in the first quarter. Golden State finished the period shooting 50% from the field and hit five of its eight 3-point attempts. The Valkyries held Minnesota to 40% shooting and forced three turnovers to take a seven-point lead after the first 10 minutes. 

But after a solid start, the Valkyries cooled off in the second quarter and Minnesota took advantage. 

The Lynx opened the period with a 12-3 run and extended their lead to as big as 10. The home team hit 12 of its 14 free throw attempts in the first half and outscored the Valkyries 22-14 in the paint. 

Golden State went with a short rotation early, playing just Kate Martin and Iliana Rupert off the bench in the first two quarters.

Temi Fágbénlé led the Valkyries with 12 points and three rebounds in the first half, but Golden State trailed by seven going into halftime. 

Minnesota ended the Valkyries’ hopes of stealing Game 1 early in the third quarter. 

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The Lynx came out of halftime firing on all cylinders, going on an 8-2 run to balloon their advantage. Minnesota outscored the Valkyries 23-13 in the third quarter behind timely shot making and stingy defense to make its lead insurmountable for the visiting team.  

The Valkyries were outscored 58-30 in the second and third quarters and trailed by as much as 36. Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve cleared her benches at the 4:18 mark of the fourth quarter. 

Golden State will return to the Bay Area for Game 2 at SAP Center in San Jose on Wednesday (7 p.m., ESPN).