The WNBA playoffs 2026 have already delivered major surprises, with the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx facing elimination after losing Game 1 to the eighth-seeded New York Liberty. The Lynx vs Liberty series has quickly become one of the most closely watched first-round matchups after New York secured a 91-75 victory on Minnesota’s home court.
Lynx vs Liberty: New York Takes Game 1
The Minnesota Lynx entered the postseason as the No. 1 seed after finishing the regular season 33-11. The New York Liberty, meanwhile, earned the No. 8 seed with a 26-18 record. Despite the difference in seeding, the Liberty produced a convincing result in the opening game.
At Target Center, the Liberty defeated the Lynx 91-75. New York established control early by winning the first quarter 25-18. Minnesota responded with a strong second quarter, but the Liberty regained momentum after halftime and outscored the Lynx 25-16 in the third quarter and 26-15 in the fourth.
The result gives the Liberty a 1-0 series advantage and puts the Lynx in a difficult position heading into Game 2.
Breanna Stewart Leads the Liberty
Breanna Stewart was the standout performer for New York in Game 1. She finished with 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, providing the Liberty with a dominant all-around performance.
Stewart’s performance continued a strong postseason stretch for the veteran forward. During the regular season, she averaged 20.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Her ability to score and create matchup problems was a major factor in New York’s victory over the top seed.
For the New York Liberty, another victory would send them into the semifinals and create a major shift in the playoff bracket.
What the Lynx Need in Game 2
The mn Lynx now need a road victory to keep their season alive. Because the opening round uses a best-of-three format, New York can advance by winning Game 2, while Minnesota must win to force a deciding Game 3.
The Lynx’s regular-season performance makes the situation particularly notable. Minnesota finished first in the league at 33-11, while Olivia Miles was unanimously named AP Rookie of the Year and Cheryl Reeve earned her fifth Coach of the Year honor.
However, the first-round opener exposed problems that Minnesota will need to address. Stewart’s scoring and size created difficult defensive matchups, and the Lynx could not prevent New York from pulling away in the second half.
Minnesota Lynx vs New York Liberty Match Player Stats
The Minnesota Lynx vs New York Liberty match player stats from Game 1 were headlined by Stewart’s 34-point performance.
| Player | Team | Key Game 1 Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Breanna Stewart | New York Liberty | 34 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists |
| Minnesota Lynx | Minnesota | 75 team points |
| New York Liberty | New York | 91 team points |
The available source information specifically highlights Stewart’s numbers rather than providing a complete player-by-player statistical breakdown.
Napheesa Collier and the Lynx Challenge
Napheesa Collier remains an important name for Minnesota as the Lynx WNBA postseason campaign continues. The Lynx need their core players to respond after surrendering home-court advantage in the opening game.
Minnesota’s regular-season success gives the team a strong foundation, but the short first-round series leaves little room for mistakes. With Game 2 on New York’s home floor, the Lynx must find a way to slow Stewart and generate more consistent offensive production.
Lynx vs Liberty Where to Watch
For fans searching for Lynx vs Liberty where to watch, the source lists Game 2 as being available on USA Network and CNBC, with the matchup scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 29. A potential Game 3 was scheduled for Thursday if Minnesota could extend the series.
WNBA playoff coverage is spread across several broadcasters, including ABC, ESPN, USA, CNBC, Prime Video and Peacock, depending on the round and matchup.
WNBA Scores and the 2026 Playoff Picture
The opening round produced four double-digit victories. Alongside New York’s 91-75 win over Minnesota, Las Vegas defeated Indiana 102-85, Atlanta beat Washington 92-77 and Golden State defeated Dallas 104-80.
The first-round matchups are:
- Minnesota Lynx vs New York Liberty
- Golden State Valkyries vs Dallas Wings
- Las Vegas Aces vs Indiana Fever
- Atlanta Dream vs Washington Mystics
The first round is a best-of-three series, while the semifinals are best-of-five. The WNBA Finals are scheduled as a best-of-seven series.
The Bigger WNBA Playoffs Picture
The early WNBA playoffs have shown how quickly the postseason can change the outlook of a team. Minnesota entered the playoffs with the league’s best regular-season record but now faces elimination after one loss.
For the Lynx, the immediate priority is extending the series. For the Liberty, another win would complete an unexpected first-round upset and send New York into the semifinals.
Players such as Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier are among the names drawing attention as the postseason moves forward. The combination of established stars, short first-round series and the expanded best-of-seven Finals format has created a compelling 2026 playoff race.
The latest WNBA scores, series results and upcoming games will determine which teams continue their championship pursuit as the postseason moves into October.
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