Golden State Valkyries vs Minnesota Lynx Picks and Prediction for Monday, August 24, 2026

The Golden State Valkyries visit the Minnesota Lynx at Target Center on Monday, with the game starting at 8:00 PM ET. Golden State is 25-11, second in the Western Conference and five games behind Minnesota after a 73-70 loss to Chicago. The Valkyries have lost two straight but remain second overall in the WNBA playoff standings. Minnesota is 31-7, first in the Western Conference and first overall after a 94-84 win over Washington. The Lynx have won six straight and already hold the league’s top playoff position. Back the best betting angles with our free WNBA picks.

Golden State Valkyries Rely on Defense

Golden State has built its season around defense, allowing only 76.6 points per game, the best mark in the WNBA. The Valkyries score 82.5 points while shooting 42.1% from the field and 34.5% from three-point range. Gabby Williams leads Golden State with 14.4 points while adding 3.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.6 steals. Janelle Salaun adds 13.1 points, while Veronica Burton averages 12.4 points and a team-high 5.5 assists.

The Valkyries have dropped consecutive games to Minnesota and Chicago after winning three straight. Golden State lost 77-66 to the Lynx on Wednesday, marking its third defeat in three meetings with Minnesota this season. The Valkyries are 10-6 away from home and own a +5.9 scoring margin. Their ability to keep games close starts with forcing turnovers and limiting clean looks, but Minnesota’s 48.6% team shooting presents a difficult challenge.

Injuries: Iliana Rupert (Out).

Minnesota Lynx Continue Six-Game Winning Streak

Minnesota enters Monday with the league’s best record and one of the strongest offenses in the WNBA. The Lynx average 92.2 points while shooting 48.6% from the field and 39.5% from three-point range. Olivia Miles leads Minnesota with 20.0 points and 6.2 assists while shooting 50.1%. Kayla McBride adds 18.3 points and shoots 42.6% from three, while Natasha Howard contributes 15.1 points and a team-high 7.8 rebounds.

The Lynx have won six straight and are 9-1 over their last 10 games. Minnesota has already defeated Golden State three times this season, including Wednesday’s 77-66 road victory. The Lynx are 14-5 at Target Center and own a league-best +8.8 scoring margin. Minnesota also allows only 83.4 points per game. The main concern Monday is availability, with Napheesa Collier resting and Courtney Williams also unavailable.

Injuries: Courtney Williams (Out), Liatu King (Out), Elena Buenavida (Out), Napheesa Collier (Out).

Key Player Matchup

Gabby Williams vs Olivia Miles

Williams leads Golden State with 14.4 points and adds 1.6 steals while shooting 40.9% from the field. Miles has been Minnesota’s top scorer at 20.0 points and also leads the Lynx with 6.2 assists while shooting 50.1% overall and 40.4% from three. Williams needs to pressure Miles and disrupt Minnesota’s primary creator, while Miles can challenge Golden State’s elite defense with both scoring and passing. With Collier resting, Miles becomes even more important to Minnesota’s offensive production.

Golden State Valkyries vs Minnesota Lynx Game Pick

• Minnesota Lynx -5.5

Minnesota is the play because its offensive advantages remain significant even with Collier unavailable. The Lynx average 92.2 points on 48.6% shooting, compared with Golden State’s 82.5 points on 42.1%. Minnesota has also beaten the Valkyries three times this season and enters on a six-game winning streak. Golden State’s defense can keep the matchup competitive, but the Valkyries have dropped two straight. Miles and McBride give Minnesota enough scoring and playmaking to overcome the absences and extend the winning run at home.

Golden State Valkyries vs Minnesota Lynx Over/Under Pick

• Under 162.5

Golden State’s defense makes the under the stronger total direction in this matchup. The Valkyries allow only 76.6 points per game and held Minnesota to 77 in Wednesday’s meeting. Golden State also scored just 66 in that loss and 70 against Chicago on Friday. Minnesota remains one of the league’s best offensive teams, but Collier and Courtney Williams are both out, removing important scoring and playmaking. With Golden State controlling tempo through defense and Minnesota missing two regular players, a lower-scoring result is the play Monday.