The New York Liberty scratched out the top-ranked Minnesota Lynx in the opening round of the 2026 WNBA Playoffs.
BROOKLYN — It was supposed to be a no rough-stuff-type-of-deal for the Minnesota Lynx.
The top-ranked Lynx are headed for an early hibernation as victims of a two-game opening-round sweep by the eighth-seeded New York Liberty. New York got Sunday’s playoff action started with a 91-75 victory in Sunday’s debut before closing things out with an 87-71 final to secure the best-of-three triumph.
Minnesota thus becomes the first top seed to drop an opening-round set since the WNBA switched to its current playoff format. The defeat also closes another year that ended atop the league leaderboard, a season in which the Lynx withstood the early medically-induced loss of Napheesa Collier and enjoyed a near-perfect debut for unanimous WNBA Rookie of the Year Olivia Miles.
On the other side, Tuesday’s closeout provided sweet seafoam relief for the Liberty, which rendered last year’s early first-round exit long forgotten. The Liberty will face either the Atlanta Dream or Washington Mystics in a best-of-five semifinal set that tips off on Sunday.
What did we learn from this chaotic couple?
Stew York or Nowhere
Breanna Stewart came here to ball. Breanna Stewart has had a great fall.
Having defined the middle initial of MVP so perfectly on the international level during FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup play, Stewart’s stateside follow-up was equally impressive: she set the tone for the upset with a 34-point, 12-rebound, six-assist performance that was the first of its kind in WNBA history. She followed that up with 21 in the clincher, which saw the Liberty beat the Lynx at their own physical game: after tying the Lynx at 12 in points in the paint during the first half of Game 1, New York beat them out 74-50 in the same category over the next six periods.
“She’s a walking mismatch, so we’re able to just look for her,” Sabrina Ionescu praised after the Game 1 win. “Whether it’s inside, just trying to stay spaced, and find the 3-point line. I also think we just took really good shots. We continue to drive the paint and kick, and continue to find our shots.”
Game 2 allowed Stewart’s co-headliners to regain some mojo: Jones joined Stewart in the double-double sisterhood with 21 points and 13 rebounds in the win, while Ionescu rediscovered her outside game with seven triples in the series. Ionescu’s seven field goals in the Tuesday win were her most in a game since an Aug. 18 loss to Chicago.
THAT’S
TALK RIGHT THERE
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— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 30, 2026
Xu-ters Shoot
During their 2024 title run, the Liberty proved better than anyone that a supposed superteam only goes as far as its depth stars. New York has had its share of issues replacing the secondary firepower of Kayla Thornton, Courtney Vandersloot, and the promoted Leonie Fiebich over the past two seasons, but the second unit was able to keep the ball rolling to match the Minnesota madness of Nia Brodie and Maya Caldwell.
The lead lighter of the second unit’s torch was undoubtedly Han Xu, whose transformative year in Brooklyn continued on the biggest stage. Back in New York after three years of overseas work, Han flourished in her first expansive playoff action with five points and two blocks in the opening game to counter Brodie’s brilliant shooting. She was also a bench-best plus-13 in Game 1 before hitting a pair of clutch triples that fortified an early first-half advantage that New York never relinquished.
“Hanny came in and she was really confident. I think [we knew] her offense was obviously going to translate really well,” Stewart said after Game 1. “Defensively, the way she was able to be disruptive, the way she was able to late switch and contest Miles at the rim is huge for us and her overall growth. So excited for Hanny and ready for her to keep it going.”
BIG HANNY’S GOING BACKKK 2 BACK
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— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 30, 2026
A Few More Miles to Go
The freshman wall finally came for Miles, who was stifled by New York’s defensive crackdown that essentially allowed Minnesota a chance to beat them from the midrange … one it failed to take full advantage of. Frustration boiled over for Miles in the latter half of Game 2, when she dealt a promoted flagrant foul on Stewart during one of the latter’s many penetrations. Miles shot just 4-of-20 in the series and dealt just two assists in two games.
It’s no doubt a sour end to the rookie story for Miles, who was on the receiving end of some tough love from head coach Cheryl Reeve amidst their shared postseason flowers for top rookie and coach respectively.
“She’s learning,” Reeve said after the opener. “It’s hard to be a rookie in the playoffs against a team that has been tough on her … There’s a lot that goes into being a really good player … She’s a smart player, she’ll figure it out.”
Olivia Miles DENIED under the basket by JJ
It’s the Jonquel Jones show in this first half
#WNBAonUSA | Lynx
| Liberty
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— USA Sports (@usasports) September 30, 2026
The Liberty will next play the winner of the Mystics/Dream series in Game 1 of the semifinals on Sunday, Oct. 4.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
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