Thursday turned into a playoff preview for the Minnesota Lynx.

Entering the regular-season finale, if the Lynx beat Golden State they’d begin the postseason against the expansion Valkyries, whom they were unbeaten against. A loss meant they would get a Seattle team that beat them twice in four regular-season matchups.

The defense was strong throughout, the offense turned it up in the final quarter, and the Lynx prepped for the playoffs with a 72-53 victory over the Valkyries.

Game 1 of the best-of-three, first-round series between the No. 1 and No. 8 seeds is Sunday at Target Center.

Finishing 34-10, Minnesota tied the 2023 Las Vegas Aces for the most wins in a season in WNBA history. The Lynx finished 20-2 at home.

Natisha Hiedeman led the Lynx with 21 points, and potential league Mo

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