The New York Liberty upset the No. 1 seed Minnesota Lynx 91-75 on September 27, powered by Breanna Stewart’s dominant near triple-double performance.
The New York Liberty secured a commanding 91-75 victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday, September 27, in Game 1 of their WNBA first-round playoff series. Playing as the visiting team at the Lynx’ home floor, the fourth-seeded Liberty (26-18) utilized a historic individual performance to dismantle the top-seeded Minnesota squad (33-11). The decisive factor was the all-around dominance of Breanna Stewart, whose statistical output forced Minnesota into defensive disarray throughout the contest.
New York Liberty Performance
Despite significant roster limitations that kept four key players out of the lineup—including Anastasiia Olairi Kosu, Elena Buenavida, Satou Sabally, and Elizabeth Balogun—the Liberty managed to execute an efficient offensive scheme. The win shifts the narrative of the Eastern Conference’s fourth seed against the Western Conference’s premier team, putting New York in a strong position early in the series.
Breanna Stewart was the engine of the Liberty’s success. She recorded a near triple-double line that highlighted her versatility and physical advantage against Minnesota’s defense. Stewart finished with 34 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists. Her ability to score from multiple levels, secure possession on the glass, and facilitate the offense created mismatches that Minnesota could not consistently resolve. This performance not only led the scoring but also stabilized the Liberty’s playmaking in the absence of other primary ball-handlers.
The Liberty’s ability to win on the road against the league’s best regular-season record demonstrated their playoff readiness. By closing out the quarterfinal opener, New York has applied immediate pressure on Minnesota to adjust their game plan for the return leg in New York.
Minnesota Lynx Performance
The Minnesota Lynx, who entered the postseason with a league-best 33-11 record and the No. 1 seed, struggled to contain New York’s primary attack. Head coach Cheryl Reeve, recently named WNBA Coach of the Year for a fifth time, faced a difficult challenge in neutralizing Stewart’s impact. Despite the loss, several Lynx players posted solid individual numbers, though they were insufficient to overcome the Liberty’s offensive surge.
Nia Brodie led Minnesota in scoring with 16 points, providing a steady offensive presence but lacking the secondary scoring support needed to match New York’s output. Kayla McBride contributed 6 assists, helping to distribute the ball, while rookie sensation Olivia Miles controlled the interior with 8 rebounds. Miles, the unanimous WNBA Rookie of the Year, showcased her physicality on the glass, continuing a strong debut season that has made her the sixth player in franchise history to earn the honor.
The Lynx’ inability to limit Stewart’s efficiency was the primary storyline for Minnesota. While their core contributors performed within expected parameters, the lack of defensive stops on New York’s most dangerous player proved costly. The 16-point deficit highlights the gap between Minnesota’s regular-season dominance and their current playoff execution against a disciplined opponent.
Turning Point
The series opening was defined by Stewart’s capacity to operate as a “walking mismatch.” Her stat line of 34 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists illustrates how she attacked Minnesota from every angle. Whether driving to the rim, posting up, or passing out of double teams, Stewart forced the Lynx defense to collapse repeatedly, creating open looks for teammates and halting Minnesota’s momentum. This sustained pressure prevented the Lynx from ever mounting a significant comeback threat, establishing a lead that New York maintained through the final minutes.
What It Means Next
The victory gives the New York Liberty a crucial 1-0 series lead as the action shifts back to New York for Game 2. The Liberty will look to capitalize on home-court advantage, building on the momentum generated by their road win. For Minnesota, the focus turns to defensive adjustments. The Lynx must find ways to contain Stewart more effectively and generate additional scoring beyond Brodie’s 16 points to avoid falling further behind.
Key factors for the remainder of the series include:
- Stewart’s Impact: New York’s ability to leverage Breanna Stewart’s triple-double threat remains their biggest advantage.
- Minnesota’s Response: The Lynx need increased scoring support and better defensive schemes to counter New York’s versatile attack.
- Roster Health: Both teams must monitor injury statuses, particularly given the Liberty’s initial absences, which may influence lineup decisions moving forward.
- Home Court Dynamics: The series now moves to New York, where the Liberty can attempt to close out the series without facing the travel fatigue experienced in Game 1.
Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday, September 30, 2026, at 12:30 AM ET. Minnesota will travel to New York seeking to even the series, while the Liberty aim to take a commanding step toward advancing in the playoffs.
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