Hiedeman Shines as Lynx Rally Past Valkyries, 78-72

SAN FRANCISCO, CA— Natisha Hiedeman tied her career high with 24 points to lead the Minnesota Lynx to a 78-72 comeback victory over the Golden State Valkyries on Saturday night.

Already locked into the top playoff seed, the Lynx (33-9) overcame a sluggish start and used a dominant third-quarter surge to seize control. Trailing by six late in the third, Minnesota unleashed a 16-0 run sparked by a Napheesa Collier 3-pointer. Moments later, Hiedeman was fouled on a 3-point attempt, drawing a flagrant foul. She sank all three free throws to give the Lynx the lead, and Jessica Shepard followed with a putback basket to extend the advantage.

Hiedeman stayed hot, drilling two more 3-pointers to close the third quarter with a 61-52 lead.

The Valkyries rallied in the fourth. Veronica Burton converted a three-point play with 45 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to 74-72, but Collier responded with a clutch baseline jumper, and Kayla McBride iced the game with two free throws following a late Golden State turnover.

Collier finished with 20 points, while Shepard stepped up in place of the resting Alanna Smith, notching a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Courtney Williams added 14 points for Minnesota.

Golden State was led by Janelle Salaun, Iliana Rupert, and Kaila Charles with 15 points each. Burton added 14. Despite the loss, the Valkyries wrapped up a landmark regular season, selling out every home game and setting a new WNBA attendance record with an average of 18,604 fans per game.

The Valkyries will visit the Seattle Storm on Tuesday, while the Lynx travel to face the Indiana Fever.