Colson on WNBA growth and change
WNBA’s Sydney Colson joins Callie Fin and Meghan L. Hall in a conversation surrounding Colson’s life lately, the WNBA, and her partnership with Secret.
Sports Seriously
SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Valkyries are riding a six-game winning streak as they welcome the top team in the WNBA, record-wise, in the Minnesota Lynx. There’s a little bit more at stake.
The Valkyries are three games behind the Lynx for the best record in the league. Minnesota has been on fire as of late, winning nine out of its previous 10 games, including a four-game winning streak.
The Lynx have had the Valkyries’ number as of late. Golden State has yet to defeat Minnesota in the franchise’s short history. The Valkyries were swept 4-0 during their 2025 regular-season matchups and lost 2-0 in the first round of the 2025 WNBA playoffs.
Things haven’t changed so far in the 2026 season. The Valkyries have dropped their previous two meetings against the Lynx, both matchups from June when both teams had completely different looks.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s not a secret. We haven’t beat them yet, so with that, it definitely puts a little bit more on us,” Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase told reporters before the game. “Plus, they’re number one, so yeah, it’s definitely a game that we want to … we just want to make sure, within the game, we make the right reads, but also I’m gonna keep going back to us. It’s what we can control. It’s our defense. So no matter if it’s Minnesota or you know Chicago, we play like we have to play all four quarters of defense. So that to me is a priority tonight.”
Here are winners and losers entering the WNBA clash between the Valkyries and Lynx:
WINNERS
Here’s where the Valkyries can get their wins throughout the game against the Lynx:
Echoing Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase: ‘defending for all four quarters’
The Valkyries’ best offense is their defense. It’s been the emphasis of Nakase’s messages to the team.
“But again, I’m just going to keep going back. I’m like, our defense has to be continuously consistent,” Nakase said. “So that’s where I see us growing from the last time we played them. But every game’s different.”
Golden State is allowing a WNBA-low 76.7 PPG on the year, including just 74.5 PPG its last 15 games (13-2 record). Valkyries opponents are shooting just 42.9 percent from the floor, and 29.9 percent from deep the last 15 gameswhile averaging 15.6 turnovers.
The Valkyries have held their opponents to 70 points or less in a league-leading 10 games this season, including their recent win against the Dallas Wings, 78-70. They’ve held opponents to fewer than 60 points in two games, also the most in the league.
1st quarter: Golden State got off to a bad start in the matchup going down early in the first quarter, 21-13. Olivia Miles paced the Lynx with three points, four assists.
2nd quarter: Minnesota’s onslaught continued into the next period with another 20-point quarter, while holding Golden State to just 13. Lynx led 41-26.
3rd quarter: This was Golden State’s best defensive quarter. They held the Lynx to just 13 points in the period. Valkyries trail 54-41, going into the 4th quarter.
4th quarter: Valkyries scored 11 unanswered points in five minutes as they continued to cut into the Lynx lead. Golden State trimmed the lead to seven, down 54-47 with 8:18 in the final period. It was too much Minnesota, who had a 25-point quarter to close the game.
Golden State’s sharp-shooting
Golden State is the best shooting team in the league. The Valkyries take the most threes per game (30.7), and make the most threes per game (10.8). They boast a top-five percentage in the WNBA, coming in at fifth shooting 35.2% as a team this season.
They can get 3s going in a hurry. Between capable shooters such as Gabby Williams, Veronica Burton and Janelle Salaun.
Salaun can get things going in a hurry when she comes off the bench. She shoots nearly 40% from deep with more than six attempts per game. She averages 2.5 made 3-pointers per game.
1st quarter: Valkyries shot 23.5% from the field and 16.7% on 3-point field goals.
2nd quarter: Valkyries tough shooting night continues with 24.3% from the field, 14.3% on 3-point tries. Williams is shooting 1-for-8 field goals. Kayla Thornton is 2-for-7 tonight. Cecilia Zandalasini is 1-for-7.
3rd quarter: Veronica Burton started to get involved in the contest, scoring easy buckets when she saw an opening. She hit threes, penetrated for layups. She had 14 after three quarters.
4th quarter: Golden State increased their shooting percentage by 10% through the 6:26 mark of the final period. To that point, the Valkyries were shooting 39.4% from the field. But they couldn’t ever find a rhythm against the Lynx, falling 77-66.
Second unit dominates, changes the flow
The Valkyries are so deep that their first three players off the bench could be starters. Salaun could be a starter. Tiffany Hayes could start. So could Kaitlyn Chen.
When they enter the game, there is a different energy that the Valkyries play with and it translates to the outcome of the game.
Last game, the reserves outscored their opponent 27-12.
1st quarter: Golden State did not get the spark they usually get from their reserves. Hayes was the only scorer off the bench in the opening 10 minutes.
2nd quarter: Hayes’ energy off the bench has been felt, but she’s been the only one. Hayes has eight points on 3-for-6 shooting. However, Chen and Salaun haven’t been able to find good looks, going a combined 0-for-3 from the field.
3rd quarter: Salaun made her first three-pointer of the game in the third quarter. She has five points on 2-for-5 shooting from the field.
4th quarter: Hayes continued to provide a lift for Golden State with 10 points and four rebounds. She finished with 12. Salaun woke up in the second half. Her total increased to 15 points. They outscored their bench 27-2, but it was too much from the starting core of the Lynx.
LOSERS
The Valkyries haven’t been able to beat the Lynx at all this season. If things are to change tonight, they need to focus on a couple areas:
Neutralize the Lynx system: Collier, Howard, Miles, etc.
The Minnesota Lynx have a deeply talented team. The overwhelming rookie of the year candidate is Olivia Miles and she’s been balling. She’s averaged 19.9 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game, and has been a huge part of why the Lynx have been successful.
However, it’s not just the rookie sensation. She joined a team full of All-Stars with Natasha Howard, Courtney Williams and Napheesa Collier returning after suffering multiple injuries. Also, you can’t forget Kayla McBride and the shooting ability she brings.
“They kind of have a system. Like they really make sure they cover the nail. They’re a heavy nail shifted team, especially also if it goes to the box, they they trap the box. So they have like more of a system. It’s not so much individual, and I think that’s the biggest thing is that they cover for each other,” Nakase said. “They know where, in terms of where they are in the shifts or on ball, like what that next rotation is. Cheryl [Reeves] been kind of doing this for a couple years now.”
1st quarter: The system has been working for the Lynx. They’ve got a balanced contribution from their starting core.
2nd quarter: Minnesota’s starting five scored 39 of their 41 points. Napheesa Collier leads the team with 12 points and seven rebounds. Miles put up nine points and five assists. McBride and Williams each have 7.
3rd quarter: The Lynx have three players in double figures: Miles (15), Collier (12) and McBride (10).
4th quarter: The core link for Minnesota has been dominant all game, led by Miles with 20 points and seven assists. McBride had 20. Collier scored 18 points, eight rebounds.