WNBA playoffs: Lynx rally from 17-point deficit to sweep Golden State

Down by as multiple as points in the third quarter the Lynx clawed back to beat Golden State - on Wednesday holding off the Valkyries in the final seconds to sweep their first-round WNBA playoff series - at the SAP Center in San Jose Calif Napheesa Collier scored points and hit a go-ahead -footer with remaining to lift top-seeded Minnesota into the second round Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride shoots over Golden State Valkyries guard Carla Leite during the first half of Competition in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs Wednesday Sept in San Jose Calif AP Photo Godofredo A V squez The Valkyries had one final chance with four seconds remaining following a shot-clock violation but Cecilia Zandalasini missed a pull-up jump shot at the buzzer Collier shot for from the field and followed up her -point performance in Tournament with a -point second half to bring her company back and give the Lynx another chance to keep chasing that championship they just missed last year Kayla McBride put the Lynx up - with a scoop shot with to go after DiJonai Carrington connected on a -pointer from the left corner with remaining to pull Minnesota within - McBride finished with points Veronica Burton had points nine assists six rebounds and four steals as the expansion Valkyries nearly extended their special season Monique Billings scored points off the bench Carrington banked in a -pointer with left that got the Lynx within - and McBride s jumper made it a five-point match at the mark before Golden State called timeout The Valkyries instantly committed a shot-clock violation and McBride scored again The Valkyries cheered by their raucous sellout crowd of were in control for much of the challenge unlike their - loss Sunday at Target Center Wednesday s tournament was played at the San Jose Sharks arena in San Jose because the Laver Cup tennis showcase had booked Chase Center before Golden State had even been granted an expansion squad After the final buzzer fans chanted GSV to celebrate a season in which Golden State made WNBA history by becoming the first expansion franchise to reach the playoffs in its inaugural season But it s the Lynx that are moving on after losing a controversial Challenge against the New York Liberty - last fall Minnesota finished with the league s best regular-season record - a franchise record that tied the Las Vegas Aces for the WNBA record Competition of the second-round series against the winner of the New York-Phoenix series is set for noon Sunday at Target Center Minnesota Lynx forward Jessica Shepard tries to maintain possession of the ball while defended by Golden State Valkyries forward Monique Billings and guard Kaila Charles during the first half of Event in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs Wednesday Sept in San Jose Calif AP Photo Godofredo A Vasquez Related Articles Lynx pull away to easy Challenge conquest over Golden State Cheryl Reeve s methods change results the same for title-contending Lynx Lynx beat Golden State in finale get Valkyries in playoff opener Lynx control whether they play Golden State or Seattle in Round of playoffs Top-seed Lynx stumble in playoff tune-up in Indiana