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Jun 18, 20261
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Miles Leads Minnesota Lynx to Golden State Valkyries After 31-Point Performance
The Minnesota Lynx visit the Golden State Valkyries on Friday after Olivia Miles scored 31 points in a 99-83 win over Los Angeles. Minnesota enters the matchup with a strong 12-3 record and 8-1 conference mark, while Golden State is 10-5.
Quick Facts
Who
Olivia Miles
What
Olivia Miles scored 31 points in Lynx's 99-83 win against Los Angeles Sparks
When
Friday, 10 p.m. EDT
Where
San Francisco
- Olivia Miles scored 31 points in Lynx's 99-83 win against Los Angeles Sparks
- Minnesota Lynx visits Golden State Valkyries for second season matchup
- Previous meeting on June 5 resulted in Lynx 87-84 victory
- Olivia Miles
- Gabrielle Williams
The Minnesota Lynx will visit the Golden State Valkyries on Friday at 10 p.m. EDT in San Francisco, following a dominant 99-83 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks. Olivia Miles led the Lynx in that contest with 31 points, continuing her strong season performance. The matchup represents the second meeting between these Western Conference rivals this season, with Minnesota having won the first encounter 87-84 on June 5.
Minnesota enters the game with a 12-3 overall record and an impressive 8-1 conference mark, holding second place in the WNBA in defensive efficiency at 79.7 points allowed per game while limiting opponents to 39.3% shooting. The Lynx have been particularly dominant over their last ten games, posting a 9-1 record while averaging 94.9 points, 38.1 rebounds, 22.6 assists and shooting at a 50.5% clip from the field. Miles is averaging 19.0 points per game with 4.9 rebounds for the season.
Golden State arrives at 10-5 overall with a 7-3 conference record. The Valkyries rank eighth in the Western Conference in paint scoring at 30.1 points per game, led by Gabrielle Williams who is averaging 17.9 points over the last ten games. However, Golden State has struggled somewhat compared to Minnesota's offensive firepower, averaging 85.1 points per game versus the Lynx's season-long shooting percentage of 50.8%.
Both teams face notable injury challenges heading into the matchup. The Lynx are without Napheesa Collier (ankle), Emma Cechova (season-ending knee injury), and Dorka Juhasz (foot). The Valkyries are missing Iliana Rupert for the season due to pregnancy. Despite these absences, Minnesota's recent form has been exceptional, with the team shooting efficiently and maintaining strong defensive discipline.
Topics
Why This Matters
This Western Conference matchup between two strong WNBA teams provides critical context for playoff seeding and conference standings. Minnesota's dominant form under Olivia Miles' leadership and their elite defensive efficiency (79.7 ppg allowed) make them a serious title contender. The injury situation for both teams—particularly Minnesota's absences of Collier, Cechova, and Juhasz—will be pivotal in determining whether their recent hot streak can be sustained against Golden State's competitive roster.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 5, 2026
WireLynx defeated Valkyries 87-84 in first meeting of season, with Olivia Miles scoring 28 points
Jun 20, 2026
WireMinnesota Lynx at Golden State Valkyries, 10 p.m. EDT Friday