Oldfield’s prediction: Napheesa Collier is primed for an MVP-caliber performance as the Lynx look to send the Valkyries packing.
Photo By – Imagn Images. Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) celebrates making a shot.
The Golden State Valkyries need a win tonight to keep their fairytale debut season alive, but they’re big underdogs against a Minnesota Lynx team that’s been on a revenge tour all year.
My Lynx vs. Valkyries predictions expect Minnesota superstar Napheesa Collier to ball out and give her team a chance to reach the next round.
Find out more in my free WNBA picks for Wednesday, September 17.
Tip-off is set for 10:00 p.m. ET from the SAP Center in San Jose, with the game airing on ESPN.
Lynx vs Valkyries predictions
My Lynx vs Valkyries best bet: Napheesa Collier Over 20.5 points (-130 at BetMGM)
Superstars carry a bigger burden on the road in the playoffs, and the Minnesota Lynx are going to need Napheesa Collier’s A-game to get past the Golden State Valkyries tonight.
Her B+ outing was more than enough on Sunday as Minnesota took a 1-0 series lead. Collier poured in 20 points on 7-for-11 shooting that afternoon in just 26 minutes, but she’ll likely need to dig deeper here.
With that in mind, I like the Over on 20.5 points for Collier in Game 2.
She averaged 22.9 ppg during the regular season while shooting a career-best 53% from the field, and Minnesota’s experienced backcourt understands how to get Collier the ball in her favorite spots.
Collier went past this number in her first two contests against the Valkyries this year and, though she has fallen just short of this Over in the teams’ past three meetings, she continues to get baskets at a high clip, including an 8-for-10 effort against Golden State in last week’s regular season finale.
The Lynx are on a mission to avenge last season’s WNBA Finals loss, and they cut through a gritty Valkyries defense over the weekend. The Minnesota role players came to the party in Game 1, but I expect Collier to steal the show tonight.
Lynx vs Valkyries same-game parlay (SGP)
Napheesa Collier Over 20.5 points
Valkyries +10.5
Janelle Salaun Over 5.5 rebounds
Despite the Game 1 blowout, I’m taking the points with a Golden State squad that’s in desperation mode. The Valkyries were 27-17-1 ATS this year, and 14-8 SU at home, and they can push the Lynx to the wire here.
Janelle Salaun grabbed six rebounds in her playoff debut, and that feels like a repeatable haul tonight for the Golden State rookie. Salaun has finished with 6+ boards in five straight outings, and she’s got a path to 35+ minutes in Game 2.
Lynx vs Valkyries odds
Lynx vs Valkyries live odds
Lynx vs Valkyries opening odds
- Spread: Minnesota -9.5 (-110) | Golden State +9.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Minnesota -500 | Golden State +375
- Over/Under: Over 153.5 (-110) | Under 153.5 (-110)
Lynx vs Valkyries trend
The Under is 28-17 for the Valkyries this season. Find more WNBA betting trends for Lynx vs. Valkyries.
How to watch Lynx vs Valkyries
| Location | SAP Center, San Jose, CA |
| Date | Wednesday, September 17, 2025 |
| Tip-off | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Lynx vs Valkyries latest injuries
Lynx: No key injuries to report.
Valkyries: Tiffany Hayes G (Out), Kayla Thornton F (Out).
Find our latest WNBA injury reports.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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