WNBA Playoffs are here!

Napheesa Collier and the Lynx bench were too much for Golden State, while the Dream's defense shut down Aliyah Boston. Here's a recap of the wild start to the WNBA playoffs!

The WNBA playoffs are officially underway, and the Minnesota Lynx wasted no time reminding everyone why they're the league's top team. After a sluggish first quarter against the expansion Golden State Valkyries, the Lynx stormed back to secure a dominant 101-72 victory in Game 1.

The Lynx, who had been resting star players like Napheesa Collier in the final weeks of the regular season, shook off the rust in a hurry. Coach Cheryl Reeve said the team's "wisdom" helped them quickly adjust after falling behind by seven points in the first quarter. From there, it was all Minnesota, with the Lynx outscoring the Valkyries by 36 points in the second half.

Collier, an MVP candidate, led the way with a game-high 20 points, but it was the bench play that truly sealed the deal. Reserve Natisha Hiedeman was a game-changer, scoring 18 points and providing a vital spark for her team.

In another first-round matchup, the Atlanta Dream focused their defensive efforts on neutralizing Indiana's star center Aliyah Boston, and it paid off. The Dream secured their first playoff win since 2018, stifling Boston and taking Game 1 from the shorthanded Fever.

Boston, which is at the hub of everything Indiana does, was held to just three of nine shots from the field. The physical battle against Dream Center Brionna Jones limited Boston's impact and forced her into foul trouble. When Boston fouled out with nine minutes to play, the Fever were down by eight. By the time she checked back in, the deficit had ballooned to 14, and Indiana never recovered.

The Dream's defense was the star of the show, making Boston look ordinary and proving that even with a strong individual performance from Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell, it's nearly impossible for Indiana to win if their star big doesn't perform.