The Minnesota Lynx, the top seed in the 2026 WNBA Playoffs, are on the brink of elimination after a surprising 91-75 loss to the eighth-seeded New York Liberty in Game 1 of their first-round series on September 27. The Liberty's victory was propelled by Breanna Stewart's standout performance, recording 34 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. (wnba.com)
This defeat places the Lynx in a precarious position, as no No. 1 seed has been eliminated in the first round since the league adopted its current playoff format in 2022. The Liberty now have the opportunity to become the first eighth seed to advance past the first round under this format. (si.games.cbssports.com)
Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday, September 29, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Lynx must secure a win to force a decisive Game 3 back in Minnesota. A loss would end their season prematurely, marking a significant upset in the playoffs. (startribune.com)
The Liberty's Game 1 victory was characterized by their physical and disruptive play, which seemed to unsettle the Lynx. Liberty forward Leonie Fiebich noted, "We were physical and disruptive. (Lynx players) were complaining about contact. That's when you know you got into somebody's head." (wnba.com)
As the Lynx prepare for this critical matchup, they will need to address their offensive struggles and find a way to counter the Liberty's aggressive defense to keep their championship hopes alive.