The Valkyries’ playoff debut went pretty much as expected: Golden State put up a solid fight, but the Lynx ultimately outplayed them and proved why they were a championship contender. The Valkyries got off to a hot start in the first quarter. However, they quickly lost their lead, stopped making shots, and eventually suffered a 101-72 loss.
After the game, Natalie Nakase made it clear that she wasn’t happy with the way the game was officiated. Nakase has been vocal about the inconsistent officiating in the WNBA all season long. When asked what changed after the first quarter, Nakase said, “All of a sudden, the fouls get called consecutively…if the fouls are getting called when we’re on a run and it shifts the momentum…At one point, it was 11-0 on free throws, so it’s hard to keep a flow of a game like that going.”
Later, she also added, “We’re playing the best team in the league. They don’t need no help.”
Nakase’s frustration with the officiating was also evident during the game, and she was given a technical foul early in the fourth quarter.
Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve also noted a change in how the game was being called after the half, but made it clear that she didn’t think it was a deciding factor.
Fouls were a problem in the second quarter
The Valkyries went into the second quarter with a 28-21 lead, but were outscored 26-12. Fouls were a big problem in the second quarter. Iliana Rupert, Kaila Charles, Veroncia Burton, and Cecilia Zandalasini all committed two fouls each, sending the Lynx to the line eleven times. Meanwhile, the Valkyries only got one free throw in the quarter.
The eight fouls called against the Valkyries, two of which were loose-ball fouls, slowed down the game for the Valkyries and gave Minnesota an opportunity to get easy points at the line.
While the foul calls in the second quarter impacted the Valkyries’ early momentum, the foul discrepancy didn’t always work in the Lynx’s favor. In the third quarter, Golden State got to the line eleven times, while Minnesota shot only three free throws.
Overall, the Valkyries took 27 free throws in the game and made 23 of them. The Lynx got 24 chances at the line, sinking 21 free throws.
Game 2 offers a shot at redemption for the Valkyries
Game 1 didn’t go the Valkyries’ way, but they will get a chance to prove that they can hang with the top seed in the league in Game 2 on Wednesday. When the Valkyries made shots early in the game and played stifling defense, they went toe-to-toe with one of the overwhelming title favorites. If they can consistently make shots the next time around, the game should be much closer than the first meeting.