The Minnesota Lynx are not unbeatable, and the Golden State Valkyries have actually defeated them. Those statements became true on Monday night with the Valkyries’ 80-66 win in Minneapolis, their first ever win against the league’s first-place squad. Golden State is now 1-9 against the Lynx all-time, counting last year’s playoff series.

“It was about us focusing on the attention to detail,” head coach Natalie Nakase told reporters after the game. “We talked about bringing a different game plan… We did it all four quarters.”

Nakase had been harping on getting four quarters of consistent play for the past month and had been frustrated after the past two losses to Minnesota and Chicago that they didn’t get close to that.

“This is a huge leap for us,” Nakase said. “Trying to prepare to be our best for the playoffs, and then getting that team to 66 (points), that’s a very talented team. Really proud to keep that team to 66.”

The Lynx were without guard Courtney Williams with a right foot injury after she had been a problem for the Valkyries over the history of the matchup.

Cecilia Zandalasini led the Valkyries with 18 points on 7-for-17 shooting and Golden State had four other double-figure scorers. Gabby Williams had 15 points, snapping a 4-for-25 streak, while point guard Veronica Burton and Tiffany Hayes each had 14 points and Janelle Salaun had 12 points.

Burton became the second player in the WNBA this season to score at least 14 points with nine assists and five steals in a game along with Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young.

“No letdown at all today with V,” Nakase said. “That’s been something our staff has been hard on her whether you make a mistake, it doesn’t matter, keep going, keep leading, whatever the team needs, they need a harsh, quick conversation or do they need support? V was elite tonight on top of that.”

The Valkyries (26-11) are one game ahead of the Aces for second place and have a two-game lead on the Indiana Fever, who are in fifth place. They are four games back of Minnesota (31-8) with seven left to play.