Liberty Shock Minnesota.Breanna Stewart’s 34-point, 12-rebound night pushed the eighth-seeded Liberty past the top-seeded Lynx in Game 1, a first in WNBA playoff history…Liberty Shock Minnesota…Liberty Shock Minnesota as Breanna Stewart’s 34-Point Masterclass Puts Top-Seeded Lynx on the Brink
MINNEAPOLIS — The New York Liberty opened the 2026 WNBA playoffs by producing a result that immediately entered league history.
Led by a sensational performance from Breanna Stewart, the eighth-seeded Liberty defeated the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx 91-75 in Game 1 of their best-of-three first-round series on Sunday, September 27. The victory made New York the first No. 8 seed in WNBA history to defeat a No. 1 seed in a playoff game, according to the Liberty and WNBA. �
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At the center of the historic night was Stewart, who delivered one of the most complete playoff performances of her career. The two-time WNBA MVP finished with 34 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks, shooting 11-for-18 from the field. �
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The victory was particularly striking because Minnesota entered the postseason as the league’s No. 1 seed, while New York came into the playoffs at No. 8.
Stewart sets the tone
From the opening minutes, Stewart was involved in virtually every important phase of the game.
New York jumped out to a 25-18 lead after the first quarter, using its perimeter shooting and defensive pressure to disrupt Minnesota. The Liberty also opened the game with a 15-0 scoring run, a remarkable sequence that the team said was the first such run in the opening quarter of a postseason game in WNBA history. �
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Minnesota, however, responded.
The Lynx gradually found their rhythm during the second quarter, taking advantage of New York turnovers and closing the half on a 14-6 run. Minnesota led 44-40 at halftime, seemingly reversing the momentum that had belonged to the visitors early in the afternoon. �
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But the Liberty came out of the locker room with a different level of urgency.
New York regained control during the third quarter with a 14-4 run. Stewart was at the heart of the turnaround, either scoring or assisting on eight of the Liberty’s first 11 points of the second half. New York shot 60 percent from the field in the third quarter and entered the final period with a 65-60 advantage. �
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New York takes over after halftime
The fourth quarter turned a competitive playoff game into a historic road victory.
The Liberty outscored Minnesota 22-8 during the opening stretch of the final period, transforming a five-point lead into a 19-point advantage. New York shot 66.7 percent from the field and 71.4 percent from three-point range in the fourth quarter. �
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By the final buzzer, the Liberty had scored 51 points in the second half and completed a 91-75 victory.
Their offensive efficiency was matched by their defensive pressure. New York forced 13 Minnesota turnovers and converted those mistakes into 24 points. The Liberty also made 13 three-pointers, tying their franchise playoff record. �
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Stewart’s individual numbers were equally notable.
Her 34 points matched her highest playoff scoring total since joining New York. She also became the first player in WNBA history to record at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals in a single playoff game, according to the Liberty’s official statistical notes. �
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Minnesota struggles to contain Stewart
Minnesota attempted to defend Stewart primarily with Napheesa Collier, her former college teammate and the 2024 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Collier and the Lynx were able to make life difficult for Stewart during portions of the first half, but New York repeatedly found ways to put Stewart in favorable situations.
The free-throw line also became important. Stewart attempted 12 free throws, and Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve acknowledged afterward that Minnesota’s fouling contributed to Stewart’s production.
“We can’t give her 12 free throws,” Reeve said, according to the Associated Press. �
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Sabrina Ionescu provided another important contribution for New York, scoring 13 points and helping organize the Liberty’s offense. Ionescu described Stewart as “a walking mismatch,” highlighting the difficulty Minnesota faced in dealing with the Liberty forward’s combination of scoring, rebounding and playmaking. �
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A historic result for the No. 8 seed
The significance of the result goes beyond the 16-point margin.
The WNBA’s current playoff format creates a particularly difficult path for lower-seeded teams. New York entered the postseason as the eighth seed and faced a Minnesota team that had finished the regular season at the top of the standings.
According to the Liberty, the victory was only the third playoff win by a No. 8 seed in WNBA history, and the first since 2016. More specifically, it was the first time a No. 8 seed had beaten a No. 1 seed in a WNBA playoff game. �
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That distinction made the result one of the most unusual opening-round victories in league history.
For Minnesota, meanwhile, the defeat created immediate pressure. Because the first round is a best-of-three series, the Lynx entered the next game needing a victory to keep their season alive. �
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For New York, one more win would be enough to advance.
Liberty refuse to let the opportunity slip
The Liberty’s ability to respond after trailing at halftime was perhaps as significant as their hot start.
Minnesota had successfully recovered from New York’s opening burst and led by four at the break. Instead of allowing the top seed to dictate the second half, New York increased its defensive pressure, attacked the paint and found Stewart repeatedly.
The Liberty also moved the ball effectively. They finished with 25 assists, while their 13 three-pointers stretched the Lynx defense across the floor. The combination allowed New York to generate high-quality opportunities as the game progressed. �
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Stewart’s all-around production meant Minnesota could not simply focus on stopping her scoring. When defenders committed to her, she could create opportunities for teammates. When Minnesota backed off, Stewart attacked.
That balance ultimately proved decisive.
A statement victory in Minneapolis
The 91-75 final score gave New York more than a 1-0 series lead. It provided a historic opening chapter to a playoff run that had begun with the Liberty as the lowest seed in the postseason field.
Stewart’s performance will naturally dominate the headlines, but the victory was a team effort built around shooting, ball movement, rebounding and defensive pressure.
The Liberty shot 50 percent from three-point range in the first quarter and finished 13-for-25 from beyond the arc. They also scored 24 points off Minnesota’s turnovers and held the Lynx to just 31 second-half points. �
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For one afternoon in Minneapolis, the playoff hierarchy was turned upside down.
The top-seeded Lynx had the home court and the higher seed. The eighth-seeded Liberty had the result.
And at the center of it all was Stewart, whose 34 points and 12 rebounds helped New York turn a daunting first-round matchup into a piece of WNBA history.
Final: New York Liberty 91, Minnesota Lynx 75. �
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