Lynx-Valkyries preview: Key players, statistics, schedule, injury report

WNBA playoffs, first round, best-of-three series

Sunday: at Target Center, noon (ESPN)

Wednesday: at SAP Center, San Jose, Calif., 9 p.m. (ESPN)

Friday (if necessary): at Target Center, time TBA (ESPN2)

The Lynx (34-10) tied a WNBA regular-season record with 34 victories to claim the top seed in the postseason, finishing four games ahead of Las Vegas and Atlanta. Golden State (23-21) made history as the first WNBA team to qualify for the playoffs in its inaugural season. The winner will face the winner of the Phoenix-New York matchup of fourth and fifth seeds.

LYNX

Napheesa Collier: By shooting 53.1% from the field, 40.3% from the three-point like and 90.6% from the free-throw line, Collier became the second WNBA player to have a 50-40-90 season (Washington’s Elena Della Donne in 2019 was the other). Collier made 10 of 17 three point attempts in four games against Golden State during the regular season.

Alanna Smith: The league’s best offensive team is also tops in defense. And Smith is the embodiment of how the Lynx want to stop opponents. She finished third in the league in blocked shots at 1.9 per game while routinely neutralizing bigger post players, such as the Valkyries’ Temi Fagbenle. Smith also will flip in an occasional three-pointer.

GOLDEN STATE

Veronica Burton: The Valkyries’ postseason appearance has been fueled by players like Burton who have taken advantage of her opportunity. She averaged 11.9 points and 6.0 assists a game and is mentioned as a candidate for most-improved player. She led all players with seven assists Thursday in the loss to the Lynx.

Janelle Salaün: The 24-year-old WNBA rookie forward from France has surged in the second half and is averaging 11.3 points per game. She needs to find her game against the Lynx, as she shot 21% (8-for-38) in four games against them this season.

Tiffany Hayes: The veteran did not play Thursday as she recovers from a left knee injury but is progressing and nearing a return. Last season’s Sixth Player of the Year winner, Hayes averaged 11.7 points during the regular season and was fourth in minutes played.

Three-and-D: The Lynx led the WNBA in both defensive efficiency and three-point shooting percentage. Golden State was third in defensive efficiency and led the league in three-pointers made. Expect plenty of ball movement and long-range shooting in this series. The Valkyries, however, will be looking to shake off a 3-of-27 performance from behind the arc Thursday.

Don’t change a thing: The Lynx swept the four-game season series by an average of 11.8 points, punctuated by Thursday’s 72-53 victory. They now must carry regular-season dominance into postseason success. Golden State has been a surprise in its first season, with Natalie Nakase a favorite to win Coach of the Year. But the Valkyries are being forced from their home arena, San Francisco’s Chase Center, for Game 2 because of a conflict with the Laver Cup tennis tournament; instead, “Balhalla” will relocate to SAP Center, home of the San Jose Sharks.

(with league ranking)

Category: Lynx; Valkyries

Record: 34-10 (first); 23-21 (eighth)

Offensive rating: 109.5 (1); 101.5 (7)

Field goal percentage: .472 (1); .407 (13)

Three-point percentage: .378 (1); .325 (11)

Points allowed: 76.7(2); 76.3 (1)

Defensive rating: 97.5 (1); 99.8 (7)

Opponent three-point percentage: .331 (8); .317 (3)

Points off turnovers: 18.1 (2); 18.6 (1)

Points allowed off turnovers: 17.2 (2); 12.8 (12)

Rebounding: 34.2 (6); 35.3 (4)

Second chance points: 10.5 (6); 10.2 (10)