The Valkyries Lost to the No. 1 Team and Came Out Honest About Why

The Golden State Valkyries drop a tough one to the No. 1 Minnesota Lynx and walk into the postgame presser with no excuses and one clear message: that was not their best, and Monday is coming. Veronica Burton was direct from the start. You cannot beat the Minnesota Lynx without playing a full 40 minutes at the highest level of focus and intensity. The Valkyries did not do that. The slow start dug a hole too deep to fully climb out of, and the urgency heading into the rematch has to start before the game even begins. VB also called out the starters directly: the second unit cannot be expected to come in and bail the team out every single night. The game has to start strong from the opening tip.

Tiffany Hayes acknowledged the shooting night was off but refused to let that be the story. The fight was there. Down big against the best team in the league, the Valkyries clawed back and made it a seven-point game late. Tip called it a playoff feeling and said she loved it. She cannot wait for Monday. The rematch is set. The Valkyries are locking in.

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Golden State Valkyries | WNBA | Players Presser | Veronica Burton, Tiffany Hayes | Minnesota Lynx | 2025

00:00 — That's Probably the Worst They'll Ever See Us
00:19 — Veronica Burton: We Lost and Here's Why
00:45 — Was the Fourth Quarter Fight Encouraging?
01:17 — Ball Pressure: What Worked and What Didn't
02:05 — Tip: What Needs to Change Before Monday?
02:39 — Did This Feel Like Playoff Basketball?
03:18 — How Much Credit Does Minnesota's Defense Get?
04:00 — Diagnosing the Slow Start