Semis Game Recap

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Game Recap: Mercury vs. Lynx (9/21/25)

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Kayla McBride with 21 Points vs. Phoenix Mercury

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Minnesota Lynx vs. Phoenix Mercury - Game Highlights

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Top Plays of the Day, 09/21/2025

AP Recap

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Napheesa Collier made a go-ahead 18-footer with 1:24 left on the way to 24 points, and the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx rallied from a 17-point, third-quarter deficit to beat the Golden State Valkyries 75-74 on Wednesday night and move on in the WNBA playoffs.
Collier shot 10 for 16 and followed up her 20-point performance in Game 1 with a 14-point second half to bring her team back — and give the Lynx another chance to keep chasing that championship they just missed last year.
The Valkyries had one final chance with four seconds remaining following a shot-clock violation, and Cecilia Zandalasini couldn’t convert a jumper.
Kayla McBride made a go-ahead scoop shot for Minnesota with 2:48 to go after DiJonai Carrington connected on a 3-pointer from the left corner with 3:18 remaining to pull Minnesota within 70-69. McBride wound up with 18 points.
Veronica Burton had 13 points, nine assists, six rebounds and four steals as the expansion Valkyries nearly extended their special season. Monique Billings scored 15 points off the bench.
Carrington banked in a 3-pointer with 8:30 left that got the Lynx within 63-56 and McBride’s jumper made it a five-point game at the 7:19 mark before Golden State called timeout. The Valkyries immediately committed a shot-clock violation and McBride scored again.
The Valkyries, cheered by their raucous sellout crowd of 18,543, were in control for much of the game — unlike their 101-72 Game 1 defeat Sunday.
Billings rebounded her own miss just before the third-quarter buzzer, scored and converted a three-point play to put Golden State ahead 63-49 going into the final 10 minutes. But Minnesota kept creeping back.
After the final buzzer, fans chanted “GSV!” to celebrate a season in which <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://apnews.com/article/valkyries-playoffs-expansion-team-74b0020aa69c724036e4294d8eed93fc" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">Golden State made WNBA history</a> by becoming the first expansion franchise to reach the playoffs in its inaugural season.
And the Valkyries were unfazed playing in an unfamiliar venue for their first postseason home game. That “Balhalla” home-court advantage had to relocate nearly 50 miles south to the NHL San Jose Sharks’ SAP Center because the Laver Cup tennis showcase had booked Chase Center before Golden State had even been granted an expansion team.
Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski was one of the biggest supporters, sitting courtside with owner Joe Lacob and Warriors President Brandon Schneider.
Golden State lost all four regular-season meetings, three by double figures, so this one will both sting and show these women how close they are. Starting center Temi Fagbenle was a late scratch Wednesday because of right knee pain.
Valkyries <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://apnews.com/article/natalie-nakase-valkyries-coach-of-year-998e958098170761eaa0307fddd93d0b" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">coach Natalie Nakase was recognized</a> before the game as WNBA Coach of the Year and Burton the league’s most improved player.

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Game Recap: Minnesota Lynx vs. Golden State Valkyries (First Round, Game 2)

First Round Game Recap

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Game Recap: Lynx vs. Valkyries (9/17/25)

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Kayla McBride with 18 Points vs. Golden State Valkyries

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Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx - Game Highlights

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Top 10 Plays of the Week

Latest

Kayla McBride

NOTABLE
<ul>
<li>WNBA All-Rookie Team (2014)</li>
<li>WNBA All-Star Game (2015, 2018, 2019)</li>
</ul>
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CAREER TRANSACTIONS
Selected by San Antonio in the 1st round (3rd overall) of the 2014 WNBA Draft… Signed to a three-year contract on Apr. 17, 2014… San Antonio exercised her 2017 contract option on Mar. 29, 2016… Re-signed by Las Vegas to a three-year contract on Feb. 28, 2018… Signed by Minnesota as an unrestricted free agent to a three-year contract on Feb. 1, 2021.
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2021 SEASON
Concluded her first season in Minnesota (eighth in the WNBA) by starting all 32 games and averaging 13.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 2.3 apg in 31.6 mpg… Ranked 20th in scoring, 18th in three-point accuracy (37.9%, 61-for-161) and 4th in FT accuracy (91.0%); she also shot 43.3% from the floor… Was the Lynx&#8217; top scorer on seven occasions, most recently with a 17-point effort Sept. 2 vs. Los Angeles… Contributed a game-high 25 points Aug. 31 vs. New York, her 47th career 20+ effort (fifth this year), adding a season-best nine rebounds… Saw her run of consecutive FTs made halted at 38 on July 7, the 4th-longest streak in club history… Netted a season-high 26 points June 30 at Phoenix – kicking off a three-game spree in which she averaged 25.0 ppg and shot exactly 9-for-13 from the floor in all three – and logged a career-high 42:02 June 25 vs. Las Vegas… Added 25 points and a season-high five assists July 7 vs. Dallas… Scored her 3000th career point June 17 at Dallas and dished her 500th career assist July 9 at Las Vegas.
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WNBA CAREER CAPSULE
2020: Tallied 12.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg and 2.4 apg while starting all 22 games (26.7 mpg) in her seventh WNBA season… Shot 42.5% from the field, 34.2% from long range and 89.7% from the line (7th in the league)… Added a season-high 25 points Aug. 20 vs. Connecticut and dealt nine assists Sept. 1 vs. Phoenix… Matched her career high with five steals vs. Minnesota on Aug. 13… 2019: Started all 34 games for the first time since her rookie season, netting 13.3 ppg, a career-high 4.1 rpg, 2.6 apg and 1.21 spg while logging 29.1 mpg… Hit 42.5% from the floor, a career-high 42.8% (62-for-145) from beyond the arc and 90.6% from the line; she ranked 5th in three-point accuracy and 8th in FT accuracy… Played in the All-Star Game on July 27 in Las Vegas… Tallied 20+ points on seven occasions, including a season-high 25-point night June 9 at New York… 2018: Enjoyed a notable debut season in Las Vegas, averaging a career-high 18.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg and a career-best 3.5 apg in 31 games (32.3 mpg)… Shot a career-high 44.9% from the field, 39.3% from long range and 91.7% from the line; she was 8th in the WNBA in scoring, 12th in three-point accuracy and 3rd in FT accuracy… Handed out a career-high 12 assists Aug. 17 at Dallas… Saw her career-best run of 42 consecutive free throws made halted on Aug. 7 in Atlanta… Played in the All-Star Game on July 28 at Target Center… Exploded for a career-high 38 points June 27 vs. Dallas, one of nine 20+ efforts… 2017: Played in 30 games for San Antonio, tallying 15.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg and 2.6 apg in a career-high 33.2 mpg… Shot 38.1% from the floor, 31.0% from long range and a career-best 92.5% (124-for-134) from the line (3rd in the WNBA)… Had 28 points, a career-high 11 rebounds and six assists in San Antonio&#8217;s final game, Sept. 2 at Indiana… Erupted for a season-high 31 points Aug. 1 vs. New York and dished a season-best eight assists Sept. 1 at New York… 2016: Started the first 17 contests before having her season ended by a fractured right foot at Minnesota on July 2… Averaged 17.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg and 1.9 apg while logging 30.8 mpg; she shot 36.7% from the floor, 30.5% from three-point range and 85.3% from the FT line… Notched her first career double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds June 21 at Chicago, and logged 40:59 June 23 at Dallas… Poured in a season-best 29 points May 21 at Dallas… 2015: Appeared in 27 games, averaging 13.8 ppg (38.2%), 3.1 rpg and 1.6 apg in 28.0 mpg… Tallied a season-high 29 points June 11 in Atlanta and sank a career-best six 3-pointers Aug. 8 vs. Seattle… Scored 18 points in the All-Star Game on July 25 in Uncasville… Picked off a career-high five steals June 30 at Phoenix… 2014: Named to the WNBA&#8217;s All-Rookie Team after starting all 34 games and averaging 13.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg and 1.7 apg in 26.0 mpg… Shot 40.6% from the floor, 39.6% from three-point range (ranking 6th in the league) and 84.6% from the line… Tallied 30 points twice (May 28 vs. Tulsa, July 9 vs. New York) among six 20+ efforts overall.
 
PLAYOFFS
2020: Tacked on 9.5 ppg (40.0%), 3.4 rpg and 2.9 apg in nine playoff starts during Las Vegas&#8217; run to the WNBA Finals…Scored in double figures in 5 out of 8 games, including a season playoff-high of 14 points vs. Seattle on October 4…Tied her career playoff high with 5 assists vs. Seattle on October 4…Grabbed a season playoff-high 6 rebounds at Seattle on October 6 2019: Chipped in 14.0 ppg (44.7%), 3.2 rpg and 3.0 apg in five playoff starts…Scored in double figures in 3 of 5 games, including a season playoff high of 19 points at Washington on September 17…Grabbed a career playoff-high 7 rebounds, and handed out a career playoff-high 5 assists vs. Washington on September 22 2014: Added 22.5 ppg (59.3%) in San Antonio&#8217;s playoff series vs. Minnesota…Scored 20 or more points in both of San Antonio’s playoff games, including a career playoff-high 25 vs. Minnesota on August 23&#8230;Led San Antonio in scoring during the postseason.
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&nbsp;
INTERNATIONAL
Participated in the USA National Team training camp in Chicago over the 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend … Aided the 2020 USA National Team to a pair of victories over Connecticut and Louisville…Participated in the 2016 USA National Team minicamp in Storrs, Connecticut…Named as a finalist for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball Team on Jan. 25, 2016…Was one of 16 finalists for the 2014 USA World Championship Team and helped the USA team earn a 3-0 exhibition record…Member of the 2014-16 USA National Team…Member of the 2010 USA U18 National Team that compiled a perfect 5-0…earned the 2010 FIBA Americas Championship gold medal and qualified the USA for the 2011 FIBA U17 World Championship
&nbsp;
2018-19 [UMMC Ekaterinburg—Russia (PBL)] 
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Won PBL Championship after finishing fist in the regular season</li>
<li>Named to the All-Russian PBL First Team by Eurobasket.com</li>
<li>Won Euro Supercup</li>
<li>Scored in double figures in 20 of 24 games, including a season-high 25 vs. Dynamo NR on March 24</li>
<li>Handed out a season-high 9 assists vs. Dynamo M on October 13</li>
<li>Grabbed a season-high 8 rebounds vs. Nadezhda O on February 25</li>
<li>Picked up a season-high 5 steals vs. Dynamo K. on April 22</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
2018-19 [UMMC Ekaterinburg—EuroLeague (EL)] 
<ul>
<li>Won EuroLeague Championship</li>
<li>Named AAll-Europe Shooting Guard of the Year by Eurobasket.com</li>
<li>Named to the All-Europe First Team by Eurobasket.com</li>
<li>Scored in double figures in 18 f 20 games, including a season-high 20 on 2 occasions—vs. CCC Polkowice on November 1, and January 16</li>
<li>Handed out a season-high 7 assists vs. CCC Polkowice on November 1</li>
<li>Grabbed a season-high 7 rebounds vs. TTT Rigaa on March 5</li>
<li>Picked up a season-high 3 steals on 4 occasions</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
2017-18 [Yakin Dogu—Turkey (KBSL)] 
<ul>
<li>Team advanced to the KBSL Finals</li>
<li>Team won the KBSL regular season championship</li>
<li>Team won Turkish Cup</li>
<li>Team won KBSL Supercup</li>
<li>Named to the Eurobasket.com All-Turkish KBSL Second Team</li>
<li>Named to the Eurobasket.com All-Europe First Team</li>
<li>Named Eurobasket.com All-Europe Shooting Guard of the Year</li>
<li>Named Eurobasket.com All-Europe Player of the Year</li>
<li>Scored in double figures on 24 occasions, and 20 or more points 7 times, including a season-high 28 vs. Abdullah Gul on February 3</li>
<li>Grabbed 10 or more rebounds on 2 occasions, including a season-high 13 vs. Botas on January 13</li>
<li>Recorded 2 point-rebound double-doubles (10 points, 10 rebounds vs. Abdullah Gul on October 28; 17 points, 13 rebounds vs Botas on January 13)</li>
<li>Handed out a season-high 7 assists vs Botas on January 13</li>
<li>Recorded a season-high 4 steals vs. Cukurova on May 11</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
2017-18 [Yakin Dogu—EuroLeague (EL)] 
<ul>
<li>Team advanced to the EuroLeague Final Four</li>
<li>Named to the Eurobasket.com All-EuroLeague First Team</li>
<li>Named Eurobasket.com All-EuroLeague Import of the Year</li>
<li>Named Eurobasket.com All-EuroLeague Guard of the Year</li>
<li>Team was a finalist in the Europe Supercup</li>
<li>Scored 10 or more points in al 18 games in which she played and 20 or more points on 7 occasions</li>
<li>Scored a season-high 24 points on 3 occasions</li>
<li>Grabbed a season-high 8 rebounds on 2 occasions</li>
<li>Handed out a season-high 7 assists vs. Bourges on March 7</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
2016-17 [Yakin Dogu—Turkey (KBSL)] 
<ul>
<li>Team Won Turkish Cup</li>
<li>Team won KBSL regular season and tournament championships</li>
<li>Named KBSL Player of the Week two times</li>
<li>Named to the Eurobasket.com All-Turkish KBSL First Team</li>
<li>Named to the Eurobasket.com Turkish KBSL All-Imports Team</li>
<li>Scored in double figures in 22 of 23 games</li>
<li>Scored 20 or more points on 13 occasions, and 30 or more 2 times, including a season-high 33 vs. Osmaniya on February 4</li>
<li>Grabbed 10 rebounds on 3 occasions</li>
<li>Recorded 2 double-doubles (20 points, 10 rebounds vs. Galatasaray on February 19; 16 points, 10 rebounds vs. Istanbul U. on April 22</li>
<li>Handed out a season-high 8 assists vs. Adana ASKI on April 19</li>
<li>Picked up a season-high 4 steals vs. Botas on March 13</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
2016-17 [Yakin Dogu—EuroCup (EC)] 
<ul>
<li>Named Eurobasket.com All-Europe Honorable Mention</li>
<li>Named to the Eurobasket.com All-EuroCup First Team</li>
<li>Named to the Eurobasket.com EuroCup All-Import Team</li>
<li>Team won EuroCup</li>
<li>Scored in double figures in 9 of 10 games</li>
<li>Scored 20 or more points on 3 occasions, including a season-high 26 vs. Galatasaray on March 21</li>
<li>Grabbed a season-high 12 rebounds vs. Villenueve on March 7, adding 18 points for her lone double-double of the season</li>
<li>Handed out a season-high 5 assists on 2 occasions</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
2015-16 [Nadezhda O.—Russia (PBL)] 
<ul>
<li>Team advanced to the PBL Finals</li>
<li>Team finished second in the PBL regular season</li>
<li>Named to the Eurobasket.com Russian PBL All-Imports Team</li>
<li>Named to the Eurobasket.com All-Russian PBL Honorable Mention Team</li>
<li>Scored in double-figures on 17 occasions, including a season-high 20 points vs. Dynamo K. on November 1</li>
<li>Grabbed a season-high 7 rebounds vs. Dyn.-GUVD on October 11</li>
<li>Handed out a season-high 5 assists vs. Energy Ivanovo on December 5</li>
<li>Pick up a season-high 6 steals vs. Dynamo K on April 21</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
2015-16 [Nadezhda O.—EuroLeague (EL)] 
<ul>
<li>Team advanced to the EuroLeague Finals</li>
<li>Named to the Eurobasket All-Imports Team</li>
<li>Named to the Eurobasket All-EuroLeague Second Team</li>
<li>Scored in double figures in 15 of 18 games, including 2 games of 20 points</li>
<li>Grabbed a season-high 6 rebounds on 2 occasions</li>
<li>Handed out a season-high 6 assists vs. Dynamo K. on March 11</li>
<li>Picked up a season-high 4 steals vs. UMMC Ekaterinburg on October 22</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
2014-15 [Sopron—Hungary (ADIV)] 
<ul>
<li>Named Eurobasket.com All-Hungarian League Player of the Year</li>
<li>Named Eurobasket.com All-Hungarian League Guard of the Year</li>
<li>Named Eurobasket.com All-Hungarian League Import Player of the Yea</li>
<li>Named to the Eurobasket.com Hungarian League First Team</li>
<li>Led the team in scoring, rebounding, steals and free throw percentage</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
2014-15 [Sopron—Hungary (EC)] 
<ul>
<li>Team advanced to the EuroCup Quarterfinals</li>
<li>Named to the Eurobasket.com All-EuroCup Third Team</li>
<li>Led the team in scoring and free throw percentage</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
OVERSEAS
2020-21: Named MVP of the KBSL (Turkish League) Finals after leading Fenerbahçe to a sweep of Galatasaray in the best-of-five championship series… Saw action in 22 contests, averaging 21.1 ppg (49.9%), 3.7 rpg and 3.5 apg… Added 16.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg and 3.4 apg in 10 EuroLeague appearances… 2018-19: Played for Russian power UMMC Ekaterinburg, tallying 13.5 ppg in 24 Premier League games and 14.1 ppg in 18 EuroLeague outings as UMMC won both the PBL and EuroLeague championships… 2017-18: Returned to Yakin Doğu for a second season, netting 14.7 ppg and 5.0 rpg in 30 KBSL games while adding a team-high 18.7 ppg and 4.8 in 18 EuroLeague starts… 2016-17: Helped Turkish club Yakin Doğu win the EuroCup title by averaging 17.1 ppg and 5.4 rpg in 10 contests… Also netted 19.5 ppg and 5.9 rpg in 23 KBSL appearances… 2015-16: Tallied 13.3 ppg over 18 contests in helping Russian club Nadezhda Orenburg reach the EuroLeague finals… Also contributed 10.2 ppg in 26 Premier League games… 2014-15: Began her career in Europe by playing for Hungarian club Sopron… Collected 17.1 ppg and 6.2 rpg in nine EuroCup starts and also saw action in 14 domestic league contests, averaging 16.8 ppg and 7.1 rpg.
&nbsp;
COLLEGE
At time of graduation, ranked 5th in program history with 1,876 career pts, 1st in VT% (.882), 6th in games played (133) and double-figure scoring games (100), 7th in min (3,735) and tied for 9th in starts (114) &#8230; one of 5 ND players to score at least 1,800 points and grab 600 boards in her career
 
Senior (Notre Dame,  2013-14):
<ul>
<li>Team advanced to the NCAA Championship game before falling to Connecticut, 79-58 … Named to the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team</li>
<li>Named to the WBCA All-NCAA D1 Team</li>
<li>Named to the ESPNW All-NCAA Division I First Team</li>
<li>Named to the USBWA All-America Team</li>
<li>Named to the AP All-America First Team</li>
<li>Named to the Wooden Award All-America Team</li>
<li>Named to the Sports Illustrated All-America Team</li>
<li>Named to the Full Court Press All-America First Team</li>
<li>Named ACC Player of the Year</li>
<li>Named a WBCA Wade Trophy Finalist</li>
<li>Named a Naismith Trophy Finalist</li>
<li>Named a Wooden Award Finalist</li>
<li>Named to the Dawn Staley Award Watch List</li>
<li>Named to the WBCA Coaches’ All-Region II Team</li>
<li>Team won ACC Regular Season Championship</li>
<li>Team won ACC Tournament Championship</li>
<li>Named to the All-ACC First Team (Blue Ribbon Panel/Coaches)</li>
<li>Named to the ACC All-Tournament Team</li>
<li>Named espnW National Player of the Week, USBWA/Ann Meyers Drysdale National Player of the Week, NCAA.com National Player of the Week, and ACC Player of the Week on February 3, after averaging 20.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game while connecting on 60.0-percent of her shots against Maryland, Virginia and Duke</li>
<li>Team captain</li>
<li>Scored 20-or-more points on 14 occasions</li>
<li>Ranked second in the ACC and 13th nationally in free throw percentage), and sixth in the ACC in  assist/turnover ratio (1.78), ninth in assists, and 10th in scoring and three-point field goal percentage</li>
<li>Scored in double figures in 23 straight games, which was the fifth longest streak in program history</li>
</ul>
 
Junior (Notre Dame, 2012-13)
<ul>
<li>Team advanced to the NCAA Final Four</li>
<li>Named to the AP All-America Third Team</li>
<li>Named to the WBCA Coaches’ All-America Team</li>
<li>Team won Big East Regular Season Championship</li>
<li>Team won Big East Tournament Championship</li>
<li>Named to the Big East All-Tournament Team, and Tournament MOP</li>
<li>Named to the All-Big East First Team</li>
<li>Named to the WBCA Division I All-Region 1 Team</li>
<li>Scored in double figures 32 times</li>
<li>Recorded 1 double-double</li>
<li>Ranked seventh in the Big East in scoring and led the league, while setting a school record, in free throw percentage</li>
<li>Would have tied for ninth in nation in free throw percentage, but was two made foul shots shy of minimum to qualify for national ranking (2.5 FTM/game)</li>
<li>Ranked 14th in the Big East in field goal percentage</li>
</ul>
 
Sophomore (Notre Dame, 2011-12)
<ul>
<li>Team advanced to the NCAA Championship game before falling to Baylor, 80-61</li>
<li>Team won Big East Regular Season Championship</li>
<li>Named to the Big East All-Tournament Team</li>
<li>Ranked 13th in the Big East in field goal percentage, and first in free throw percentage</li>
</ul>
 
Freshman (Notre Dame, 2010-11)
<ul>
<li>Team advanced to the NCAA Championship game before falling to Texas A&amp;M, 76-70</li>
<li>Was the team’s top rebounder 9 times</li>
</ul>
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PERSONAL
Daughter of LuAnn and Lamont McBride…Oldest of 4 children &#8230; Younger sister, Karlee, was on the women’s basketball team at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana &#8230; Would like to open a bakery when she finishes her pro career &#8230;Spent time during the 2019-20 offseason as Notre Dame Women’s Basketball’s player development program manager