The Minnesota Lynx showed why they are the class of the league WNBA, rolling to a 101-72 victory over the Golden State Valkyries on Sunday at Minneapolis in the opener of a best-of-three playoff series.

MVP candidate Napheesa Collier led the top-seeded Lynx with 20 points and six rebounds. Kayla McBride added 17 points on 3-of-5 shooting from 3-point range and Natisha Hiedeman scored 18 points with four assists off the bench for last season's WNBA runner-up.

Cecilia Zandalasini and Veronica Burton each scored 14 points for the expansion Valkyries, who were playing in their first ever playoff game. Janelle Salaun had 13 points and Temi Fagbenle added 12.

Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase earned a technical foul arguing with officials with 7:53 remaining as frustration boiled while t

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