The Golden State Valkyries visit the Minnesota Lynx on Monday night at Target Center, and the betting market is treating this one as a clear mismatch. Minnesota owns the WNBA’s best record at 31-7 and has beaten Golden State in all nine meetings this season. The Lynx are laying 6.5 points at home, yet a notable injury and a heavily lopsided public split give this spot more nuance than the number suggests. Below we break down the odds, the public money, and where our best bets land.
Last Updated: Monday, August 24, 2026
Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx — Time & How to Watch
| Where | Target Center, Minneapolis, MN |
| When | Monday, August 24 – 8:00 PM ET |
| TV | USA Network |
Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx Betting Preview
Minnesota enters with the best record in the WNBA at 31-7 and rides a six-game winning streak into Monday. The Lynx have covered in seven of their last 10 games, so both the straight-up and against-the-spread form point the same direction. Olivia Miles leads the offense at 20.0 points and 6.2 assists per game. Napheesa Collier adds 19.0 points and 7.4 rebounds, while Kayla McBride (18.2 points) and Natasha Howard (15.1 points, 7.8 rebounds) round out one of the league’s deepest starting units.
Golden State sits at 25-11 and remains firmly in the playoff picture, but the Valkyries arrive cold. They have dropped two in a row, most recently a 73-70 loss to Chicago decided on a buzzer-beater. Veronica Burton runs the show at 12.4 points and 5.5 assists, with Gabby Williams (14.4 points) and Janelle Salaün (13.1 points) providing the scoring punch. The bigger concern is history. The Valkyries are 0-9 against Minnesota this season and have not solved the Lynx yet, as we noted in our recent look at Golden State.
The injury report reshapes this matchup. Minnesota will be without guard Courtney Williams, who has been ruled out with a foot injury. It is her first missed game after appearing in all 38 of the team’s contests, and it removes a proven scorer and ball-handler from the backcourt rotation. Golden State is missing only Iliana Rupert, who is out for the season. For more on how Minnesota has managed without a full lineup, see our recent Lynx breakdown.
Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx Odds
| Spread | Moneyline | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valkyries | +6.5 (-110) | +205 | U 158 (-110) |
| Lynx | -6.5 (-110) | -245 | O 158 (-110) |
Odds accurate as of Monday, August 24, 2026 via TheSpread.com. Odds change, get the latest WNBA Odds – Futures – Props
Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx — Who Is the Public Betting?
| Valkyries | 21% | 79% | Lynx |
See the latest WNBA Public Betting Splits and make smarter wagers!
Valkyries vs. Lynx Prediction — Can Golden State Keep It Close in Minneapolis?
Roughly 79 percent of spread bets sit on Minnesota, and the line has crept from -6 at open to -6.5. That is a lot of money on a home favorite that already beat this opponent nine times. When the public piles onto a popular side, the price often inflates past the point of value, and buying the Lynx at a full touchdown here means paying a premium for a result the market already expects.
The Courtney Williams absence matters, too. Minnesota loses a reliable secondary scorer, which tightens the margin for error against a Golden State team that defends well and grinds games into the half-court. The Valkyries have stayed within range of the Lynx in prior meetings even without winning, and a low projected total favors the underdog getting points. Take a competitive road team plus a key number, and there is a live path to a cover in a single-digit game.
The counterargument is real. Minnesota is 9-0 against Golden State this season, sits atop the league, and has the depth to absorb one injury and still win comfortably at home. If Collier and Miles control the pace, the Lynx can win by double digits regardless of the ticket count. Still, at this number and with this injury, the value tilts toward the visitor.
The Pick: Golden State Valkyries +6.5 (-110)
Valkyries vs. Lynx Prediction — Will the Scoreboard Stay Quiet?
The total opened at 161 and has been bet down to 158, a clear signal that sharp money leans toward the under. The matchup supports it. Minnesota is a top defensive team, Golden State plays a deliberate, physical style, and the two most recent meetings between these clubs stayed on the lower end of the scoring range. Losing Courtney Williams only trims Minnesota’s offensive output further.
There is a case for the over. Home teams sometimes push the tempo with a big lead, and if Golden State keeps the game close late, a foul-heavy final few minutes can add points quickly. Even so, the combination of two strong defenses, a shorthanded Lynx backcourt, and a line already moving down points toward a controlled, lower-scoring night.
The Pick: Under 158 (-110)
Final Thoughts and Bonus Angle
For bettors chasing more upside, the Golden State moneyline is worth a small look. At +205, the Valkyries return better than 2-1 on an outright win, and shorthanded favorites do get caught, especially against a 25-11 team capable of a hot shooting night. The risk is obvious. Golden State is 0-9 against Minnesota this season, so this is a speculative, small-stakes flier rather than a core play. If the Lynx protect home court as they have all year, the ticket is dead. The reward simply justifies a modest swing.
Bonus Pick: Golden State Valkyries Moneyline +205 (small stakes)
To recap the card: our best bet is Golden State +6.5 (-110), backed by the Under 158 (-110), with a speculative Golden State moneyline flier at +205 for those wanting a longshot angle. All three lean on the same read — a shorthanded, chalk-heavy favorite in a low-scoring spot leaves room for the road underdog to keep it tight.
WNBA Valkyries vs. Lynx FAQ: Monday August 24, 2026
What time does the Valkyries vs. Lynx game start?
The Golden State Valkyries tip off against the Minnesota Lynx at 8:00 PM ET on Monday, August 24, 2026. The game is played at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where the Lynx host as the home team.
What channel is the Valkyries vs. Lynx game on?
The Valkyries vs. Lynx game airs nationally on USA Network. Viewers in the Minnesota market can also find the broadcast on Victory+, the Lynx’s regional streaming outlet, for the Monday, August 24 matchup.
Where are the Valkyries and Lynx playing today?
The game is at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Minnesota is the home team for this meeting, the 10th between the two clubs this season, and the Valkyries are the visiting side traveling in for the Monday night contest.
What is the season series record between the Valkyries and Lynx?
Minnesota leads the season series 9-0 entering Monday’s game. The Lynx have won every meeting between the two teams this season, most recently on August 19, and Golden State is looking for its first victory over Minnesota in their 10th matchup.
What are the Valkyries’ and Lynx’s records this season?
Minnesota enters at 31-7, the best record in the WNBA, on a six-game winning streak. Golden State sits at 25-11 and remains in the playoff picture despite dropping its last two games. Both teams rank among the league’s stronger clubs heading into the matchup.