Game Details:
- Matchup: #1 Minnesota Lynx at #8 Golden State Valkyries (WNBA Quarterfinals, Game 2)
- Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2025
- Time: 10:10 PM EST
- TV: ESPN
- Spread: Lynx -10.5
- Total: 151.5 (Under)
Setting the Scene
The top-seeded Minnesota Lynx travel to the Bay Area with a chance to sweep the upstart Golden State Valkyries in Game 2 of their WNBA Quarterfinals matchup. After securing Game 1, the Lynx are looking to quickly close out the series against a valiant but injury-depleted Valkyries squad. For the eighth-seeded Valkyries, it’s a do-or-die game on their home court as they fight to keep their impressive inaugural playoff run alive.
Minnesota Lynx Outlook
The Lynx entered the postseason as the WNBA’s top team and have shown no signs of slowing down. Their primary advantage heading into this potentially decisive Game 2 is their health. As of the start of the series, Minnesota boasted a relatively “clean” injury report, a significant asset in a grueling playoff campaign. While there was a minor “concern” noted about DiJonai Carrington’s shoulder heading into Game 1, the team is overwhelmingly healthy compared to their opponent.
Led by a deep and talented roster, the Lynx are heavy favorites to advance. Their disciplined play on both ends of the floor makes them a matchup nightmare, and facing a shorthanded opponent, they will look to impose their will early and silence the home crowd.
Golden State Valkyries Outlook
Making the playoffs as the #8 seed was a tremendous accomplishment for the expansion Valkyries, but their postseason journey has been hampered by significant injuries. The team will once again be without a key player, as multiple reports confirm that guard Tiffany Hayes has been ruled out for Game 2 due to a knee injury that also kept her out of the regular-season finale against this same Lynx team.
The injury woes may not stop there. The Valkyries have dealt with a revolving door of sidelined players all season, with earlier reports mentioning injuries to Kayla Thornton, Carla Leite (back), Stephanie Talbot (quad), and Cecilia Zandalasini (foot). Facing the league’s best team without a full complement of players is a monumental task. The Valkyries will need a heroic effort from their available players and a major boost from their home-court advantage to have a chance at forcing a Game 3.
Prediction & Pick
The narrative for this game is clear: a healthy, dominant #1 seed versus a battered and bruised #8 seed. While the Valkyries have shown heart all season, the absence of Tiffany Hayes on top of their other accumulated injuries is too much to overcome against a powerhouse like Minnesota.
The 10.5-point spread is large for a playoff game, but it reflects the massive disparity in health and depth between these two squads. The Lynx have the offensive firepower and defensive tenacity to exploit Golden State’s thinned-out rotation. Expect Minnesota to control the pace from the start and pull away as the game progresses.
The total of 151.5 also leans towards the under. Playoff basketball is often a more physical, half-court affair, and the Valkyries’ offensive production will likely suffer without Hayes. The Lynx may also ease off the throttle if they build a comfortable second-half lead, further suppressing the final score.
The Pick: Minnesota Lynx -10.5
Score Prediction: Lynx 83, Valkyries 70
Sources:
Minnesota Lynx Injury Status – ESPN
Minnesota Lynx Injury Update
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