By: Betty Cantley
Minneapolis, MN – In a thrilling Western Conference Commissioner Cup (Thursday, June 4, 2026), the Minnesota Lynx narrowly defeated the Golden State Valkyries, 87-84, at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
The battle came down to the wire, showcasing why Minnesota is a top-tier powerhouse and solidifying the expansion Valkyries as a highly dangerous competitor.
The Lynx edged out the Valkyries by just three points to improve to a perfect 2-0 record in the early Commissioner Cup games. The Valkyries put up a fierce fight but dropped to 1-1 in the tournament standings.
The night belonged to Minnesota’s Olivia Miles, who put on an absolute shooting clinic. She led all scorers with 28 points, shooting a scorching 8-of-11 from beyond the three-point arc. She also fueled the offense with 7 assists and anchored the defense with 3 blocks.
Minnesota’s Courtney Williams was highly effective in the mid-range and driving lanes, logging 17 points and 7 rebounds.
Kayla McBride stretched the floor well, adding 14 points and 8 rebounds. Veteran Natasha Howard controlled the interior, securing a hard-fought double-double with
and 10 rebounds.
The Valkyries were a serious threat. Golden State relied heavily on an aggressive perimeter attack, sinking 14 three-pointers as a team.
Cecilia Zandalasini led the way for the Valkyries with 18 points (including 4 triples), while French star Janelle Salaun provided an incredibly efficient spark off the bench, adding 17 points of 5-of-8 shooting from deep. Tiffany Hayes also chipped in a steady 15 points.
Tournament implications with the victory, the Lynx add another $3,000 prize donation to their designated charity pool, putting them in the driver’s seat out west. The Valkyries take home a $1,000 donation for the close loss.