MINNEAPOLIS — Following a 29-point loss to the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in Game 1 of the first round, Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase took aim at Sunday’s officiating crew.
“I thought we were playing beautiful basketball. And then all of a sudden the fouls get called consecutively,” Nakase said. “It wasn’t that the fouls are balanced, it was that the fouls are being called when we’re on a run, and it shifts the momentum.”
The Valkyries jumped out to a hot start, scoring 28 first-quarter points and leading by seven after the first 10 minutes.
But it all started to unravel in the second quarter.
Golden State found itself in foul trouble and the experienced Lynx took advantage. Minnesota shot 14 free throws in the second quarter, and outscored the Valkyries 26-12 to take a comfortable seven-point lead at halftime.
Nakase pointed to a sequence of fouls involving center Iliana Rupert early in the second quarter that changed the momentum of the game. In a span of 90 seconds, Rupert was called for two loose-ball fouls as she tried to chase offensive rebounds.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 14: Temi Fagbenle #14 of the Golden State Valkyries works around Jessica Shepard #15 of the Minnesota Lynx during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the WNBA Playoffs at Target Center on September 14, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matt Krohn/Getty Images)
“When she’s trying to fight for the rebound and she’s getting called on a foul on a rebound, it takes our aggression away,” Nakase said of Rupert’s early fouls. “And that’s what I’m not OK with. I want to fight fair. I really do. I wanted a clean fight, but I love the fact that both teams are playing with their hearts out. They’re fighting, but I would like it to be fair.”
Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said the game was physical for both teams.
“I understand it, but it’s the playoffs,” Reeve said. “We fouled a lot at the end, but I don’t think that was a factor.”
Golden State ended the game shooting three more free throws than Minnesota, but the Valkyries were in foul trouble all game.
Cecilia Zandalasin and Kaila Charles had three fouls in the first half and the team racked up 11 through the first 20 minutes.
The frustration boiled over early in the fourth quarter with Nakase receiving a technical foul for arguing with officials when Rupert was called for a shooting foul on Alanna Smith.
“At what point is it going to be fair?” Nakase said. “My girls, they were great. They did everything I asked. They kept their heads up.
“I thought our girls were terrific. They fought as hard as they could. I just think, if it was the other way around, how would Minnesota feel if Smith got two offensive fouls, and then now (we) were shooting free throws.”
Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) takes a moment during a break in action against the Minnesota Lynx during the first half of an WBA basketball game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
Nakase hasn’t been shy about ripping officials this season, especially in losses.
When asked if she is worried about getting a call from the league about her officiating criticism, Nakase said, “I don’t care about that. I got players and I got to make sure that they’re good mentally and physically.”
Here are the biggest takeaways from Sunday’s loss:
Rotation gets shorter
Rupert and guard Kate Martin were the only two players to come off the bench in the first half, though Rupert played just under four minutes with foul trouble.
Backup center Monique Billings and rookie point guard Carla Leite did not enter the game until midway through the third quarter when the game was already out of reach.
Golden State Valkyries center Temi Fagbenle, center, goes up for a shot past Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith (8) and forward Bridget Carleton (6) during the first half of an WBA basketball game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
“I went with my gut,” Nakase said. “I thought Kate had amazing energy. I thought her fight was great. I thought her physicality was on point. Her ability to space the floor, hit key shots – I thought she did great.”
Martin finished Sunday’s game with 11 points on 2-for-7 shooting. She scored all her baskets in the second half and logged a plus-minus rating of -23.
Janelle Salaün, Cecilia Zandalasini and Veronica Burton all played at least 30 minutes.
Hiedeman continues to torch Valkyries
Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman has made a knack for saving her best games for when she plays Golden State.
A candidate for sixth woman of the year, Hiedeman scored 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting from the field. She recorded the second-highest plus-minus in Lynx postseason history with a +32 rating.
In five games against the Valkyries this season, Hiedeman is averaging 19 points per game. In the last three games – all coming within the last week – she has scored 24, 21 and 18 points.
“We just gotta be alert when she comes into the game and treat her like a starter,” Zandalasini said.
Minnesota Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman (2) reacts after making a three point shot against the Golden State Valkyries during the first half of an WBA basketball game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
Breaking up Minnesota’s consistency
Even after going down in the first quarter, Minnesota never wavered.
The Lynx have made a habit this season of keeping their level of play consistent, whether they have a lead or are down.
Golden State has learned that the hard way in each one of the teams’ five games this season – all losses.
Golden State Valkyries guard Kaila Charles, left, drives past Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith (8) during the first half of an WBA basketball game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
“I think the thing about a team like Minnesota is that they’re going to be very steady throughout the entire game, and there’s no let-up, and there’s really no drop-off,” Burton said.
Nakase said the way they played in the first quarter is what needs to continue to happen to disrupt Minnesota’s consistency.
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Bouncing back for Game 2
With the crushing loss, the Valkyries’ season is on the brink headed back to the Bay Area for Game 2.
For Golden State, the message is clear:
“It’s a series for a reason. It’s 1-0. They were supposed to win at home. They’re the one seed, and it’s a home game, so they did what they were supposed to do, and now it’s our turn to do that at home,” Burton said. “It’s not easy. They’re a good team, but if you get too wrapped up in this loss, then it’ll be over before you know it. So just move on.”
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, right, drives past Golden State Valkyries center Temi Fagbenle (14) during the first half of an WBA basketball game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
