WNBA: Valkyries vs. Lynx Game 1 Picks & Odds | September 14, 2025

Written by: Nick Zanghi

Published: Sun Sep 14, 2025, 12:00 am ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

wnba

FINAL

Golden State Valkyries

TBD

Minnesota Lynx

TBD

See Picks & Statistics For The Game

Welcome to the 2025 WNBA Playoffs and I couldn't be more excited. We have a full four game slate on our hands and we're going to the first one. The Minnesota Lynx will host the Golden State Valkyries at the Target Center. The Lynx won the season series 4-0.

Minnesota finished the season 34-10 and the best in the league. They come into this game off dominating win over the Valkyries just this past Thursday. The Lynx ended the season 6-4 in their last 10 games and are 20-2 at home this year.

Napheesa Collier put on an MVP performance this season. She became only the second player ever to finish with 50/40/90, which is shooting 50% or better from the field, 40% or better from three-point ranger and 90% or better from the free throw line.

Collier averaged 22.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in 33 games played. She has great teammates in Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride. Alanna Smith is tough down low and Natisha Hiedeman is great off the bench. Picking up DiJonai Carrington could be huge for the playoffs, so we'll keep an eye on her.

Check out the odds for this matchup and other WNBA games at the best online sportsbooks.

Golden State will try to win with tough series in front of them

Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes goes to the bucket guarded by Lynx forwards Napheesa Collier and Alanna Smith.

Golden State finished 23-21 in their inaugural season and grabbed the last playoff spot. They come into this game off that beating from the Lynx on Thursday. The Valkyries ended the season 5-5 in their last ten games and were 9-13 on the road.

This team has to be really excited. No one expected them to make the playoffs, and they almost finished sixth. A lot of heroes on this team in small forms after losing their main threat in Kayla Thornton back in July.

The Valkyries have been coached extremely well. Coach Natalie Nakase has done a fantastic job with these ladies and could possibly win the Coach of the Year. She took an entire new group of girls and taught them a winning way; it's been fun to watch.

This is the real test though – do you have what it takes to finally figure out how to beat this team? We'll find out. Let's check out the odds and get into the Valkyries vs. Lynx picks.

Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx Betting Odds and Game Information

Valkyries vs. Lynx Betting Odds – September 14

Spread

Golden State Valkyries +12.5 (-105)
Minnesota Lynx -12.5 (-115)

Moneyline

Golden State Valkyries +650
Minnesota Lynx -1100

Total

Over 147.5 (-114)
Under 147.5 (-106)

Odds courtesy of BetOnline – Get 50% up to $1000 on your first deposit

Valkyries vs. Lynx Game Information

Venue: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Date: Sunday, September 14, 2025
Tip Off: 1 p.m. EST
TV: ESPN

Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx Picks and Predictions

Lynx guard Courtney Williams looks to make a pass around Valkyries guard Veronica Burton.

Valkyries vs. Lynx Picks and Predictions: Minnesota Lynx Spread -12.5 (-115) Get 50% up to $1000 Deposit on BetOnline for this pick

It's a big spread, but now it's time to hit the pedal hard. Minnesota wants to win it all so badly and especially after making the finals last year. I think they pick up right where they left off on Thursday and hand Golden State another beating.

If the Valkyries haven't figure out how to beat the Lynx by now than it's too late. Minnesota is about to dial in heavy and it's only a five-game series, so you don't have much time to make adjustments. Also, playing at home is Minnesota's bread and butter, so we have to take that into account.

The first play I like for this game is Janelle Salaun to get 18 or more points, rebounds or assists for -137. Salaun has been playing out of her mind, hitting this mark in her last four straight. Two of those games were vs. Minnesota and she had 18 and 25 in those games.

Another play I like that is sneaky is Collier for 2 or more made three pointers for +145. She's hit the mark in her last two games back-to-back and in her last three out of four games. Her last two games were vs Golden State, and she had 3 and 4 in those games. We only need two and at plus chicky.