The Golden State Valkyries have never won against the Minnesota Lynx in franchise history, holding a 0-9 record across regular season and playoff matchups. And this time was no different. The Lynx defeated the Valkyries on Wednesday,  77-66. 

This loss has left analysts talking about why the Valkyries can never seem to get the upper hand over the Lynx. During the August 20 episode of The Morning Roast, analyst Sam Lubman points out exactly what separates the two teams. 

"It feels like the Valkyries are a player away. They [Lynx] got legitimate superstars on that team, and the Valkyries, they got rising stars. There is a gap between the Lynx and the Valkyries,” Lubman said.

During the August 20 episode of The Morning Roast, posted by 95.7 The Game’s YouTube channel, Lubman pointed out that the Valkyries have a roster gap; specifically, an elite primary star.

He also pointed out that while the Golden State team had players with potential and were “rising stars”, Minnesota had already solidified their reputation in the league as “legitimate superstars.”

Lubman emphasized that the Valkyries were by no means a bad team. They have already clinched a spot in the 2026 WNBA playoffs with a 78-70 win over the Dallas Wings. The team is set to enter postseason for the second consecutive year.

“[The Valkyries are] still a very, very good basketball team. They still have that two seed. They're probably going to be locked into that two seed now because I think they're four games back the Lynx. Might as well be five games because last night they did officially lose the season series,” Lubman noted.

What makes the gap more obvious is that Lynx won despite guard Olivia Miles injuring her ankle and exiting early. But Lubman doesn’t think it will affect her Rookie of the Year contention. 

Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx highlights (Wednesday, August 19, 2026)

The Morning Roast discussed where the Valkyries fell short in Wednesday’s matchup against the Lynx. But USA Today’s Marcus D. Smith discusses exactly how the game went down. 

“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,” Smith wrote in his August 19 USA Today report.

According to him, Minnesota took control of the game early on, Olivia Miles came through in the first quarter with three points, four assists, allowing the Lynx to lead 21-13. The Lynx refused to let up, scoring another 20 points in the second quarter. 

The Valkyries did fight back some in the latter half of the game, scoring 11 unanswered points and narrowing the deficit down to seven points.

However, Minnesota’s defense finally stopped the onslaught. A late three-pointer and free throws in the final minute cemented their win.

Do you agree that the Valkyries cannot defeat the Lynx in their current state? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Arundhoti Palit

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit