Staying in Minnesota after closing out the regular season against the Lynx on Thursday night meant more time for rest and recovery for the No. 8 seed. It gave Nakase a bulked-up scouting report with extra film to study, Valkyries players a now-familiar setting, and the entire team one less plane ride. Golden State tried focus on the silver linings of slipping into the final playoff slot and drawing a first-round matchup with the league's top team.

But after the Valkyries opened with a strong first quarter on Sunday, the Lynx responded like the seasoned contenders they are. Leaning on their veteran postseason experience, MVP-frontrunner Napheesa Collier's team unleashed the full depth of its arsenal and laid bare the undeniable truth for Golden State: in its first taste of playoff basketball, this draw was a merciless one.

Facing this Lynx team for the third time in eight days, the Valkyries came out adjusted and in rhythm. They opened with five first-quarter threes -- a sharp turnaround from their uncharacteristic 3-for-27 perimeter nightmare just days earlier in Minnesota. Hot off their AP honors, Most Improved Player Veronica Burton and All-Rookie Team selection Janelle Salaün each knocked down a pair of triples to set the tone early. With Cecilia Zandalasini back in the starting lineup for the first time in nearly a month and Temi Fágbénlé anchoring the interior scoring, the underdogs surged to a 28-21 lead after one.

But in the second quarter, the Valkyries' hot start began to cool. Off the bench, Natisha Hiedeman, who has averaged 22.5 points in her last two games against Golden State, pushed Minnesota's agenda and pace. In tandem with Kayla McBride, the two engineered a dominant 20-6 run -- a stretch that showcased exactly why the Lynx sit atop the league in both offensive and defensive rating. Still, traces of Golden State's resiliency remained. The Valkyries held their ground and avoided a total collapse to keep within seven at the half, 47-40.

Then came the avalanche. Collier hit off-balance jumpers. Courtney Williams started heating up. And a flowing transition offense -- Minnesota poured in 32 points in the third -- blew the game open as the Valkyries lost by 29.