Heading into the match-up, the No. 6 Valkyries have a 9-7 record, and the Lynx are 15-2, a record that puts them at the top of the WNBA.

The Golden State Valkyries got a close look at the WNBA’s elite Saturday night in a 82-71road loss to the Minnesota Lynx. Hoping to become the first team to beat Minnesota on its home floor, the Valkyries led 56-54 in the third quarter until the Lynx and MVP candidate Napheesa Collier took over.

The Lynx, who had led by as many as 10, had fallen behind by two points to a Golden State team that seemed unable to miss. It was at that point, apparently, when the Lynx decided enough was enough.