The No. 1 Seed Minnesota Lynx Dominant Golden State Valkyries

The Lynx, who finished with the best record in the league, showed why they are the title favorites. Following a shaky start, the Lynx found their form to handily defeat the Golden State Valkyries 101-72. MVP front-runner Napheesa Collier led the Lynx with 20 points, six rebounds, two assists, and one steal, shooting 7-of-11 from the field and 1-of-3 from the 3-point line. The Lynx's balanced offense and tough defense proved too much for the first-year expansion team. The Valkyries are still in search of their first win against the Lynx this season.

Golden State will host Game 2 on Wednesday.  

Las Vegas Aces Show No Signs Of Slowing Down 

The two-time champion Aces made an emphatic statement, with a 102-77 win over the Seattle Storm. MVP favorite A'ja Wilson was her usual dominant self, scoring 29 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. The Aces extended their winning streak to 17 games, showcasing their readiness to return to the championships.  For the Aces, Jackie Young had 18 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and four steals. Jewell Loyd scored 14 points, Dana Evans 13, and NaLyssa Smith had 11 points and nine rebounds.

Gabby Williams led the Storm with 16 points, and Dominique Malonga had 12 points and 11 rebounds. Skylar Diggins also scored 12 points, and Nneka Ogwumike added 11.

Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday in Seattle.

The Atlanta Dream Cruise Past The Injury-Plagued Indian Fever

With a strong defensive showing,  the Atlanta Dream secured an 80-68 victory over the injury-plagued Indiana Fever. Atlanta's Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard each scored 20 points, while Indiana's offense struggled to find a rhythm without key players. Kelsey Mitchell scored 27 points for the Fever, but they will need a major effort in Game 2 to stave off elimination without the services of Caitlin Clark, Chloe Bibby, and Sophie Cunningham.

The New York Liberty Survive a Thriller Against the Phoenix Mercury

In the most thrilling game of the evening, the Liberty edged out the Mercury 76-69 in overtime. Natasha Cloud scored  23 points, including clutch baskets in the fourth quarter and overtime. But the victory could have possible casualties as Breanna Stewart left the game late with a potential injury, putting her in doubt for the rest of the series. Stewart had 18 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Alyssa Thomas had 15 points, and Satou Sabally finished with nine on 17.

The Liberty is set to host the Mercury in Game 2 on Wednesday in Brooklyn.