MINNEAPOLIS — The Valkyries opened their first-ever playoff game against the Minnesota Lynx with a promising start.

The expansion team was hitting shots, getting stops and looked comfortable in front of a rowdy Minnesota crowd for Game 1 of the teams’ first-round playoff series.

But the Valkyries’ momentum evaporated quickly as the Lynx’s star power, again, proved to be too much.

Golden State dropped Game 1 on the road 101-72 as it couldn’t stop Minnesota’s high-octane offense after holding an early lead in the first quarter. It was the Valkyries’ worst loss since falling to the Connecticut Sun by 31 points on July 27.

Cecilia Zandalasini and Veronica Burton each had 14 points to lead the Valkyries. Temi Fágbénlé had 12 points — all coming in the first half.

MVP candidate Napheesa Col

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