Liberty Sweep Top-Seeded Lynx in Historic WNBA Upset
The New York Liberty became the first No. 8 seed to eliminate the No. 1 seed in WNBA history by sweeping the Minnesota Lynx 2-0 in the quarterfinals. Jonquel Jones led the Liberty with 21 points and 13 rebounds in Game 2, securing an 87-71 victory. The Lynx, who finished the regular season with the best record, failed to overcome the Liberty’s size advantage, ending their season in the first round.
Key points
- New York Liberty defeated Minnesota Lynx 87-71 in Game 2 to complete a 2-0 series sweep.
- This marks the first time a No. 8 seed has eliminated a No. 1 seed in the 30-year history of the WNBA.
- Jonquel Jones recorded a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Breanna Stewart added 21 points.
- Minnesota’s Olivia Miles struggled significantly, scoring only five points on 1-of-8 shooting in Game 2.
- The Liberty will advance to the semifinals to face the winner of the Atlanta Dream and Washington Mystics series.
Background
The Lynx had previously lost in the 2024 WNBA Finals to the Liberty and faced early playoff exits in 2025. The 2026 regular season was highly competitive, with the Lynx securing the top seed despite a tight race. The current playoff format, introduced in 2022, allows the top eight teams to compete in the quarterfinals, enabling such seed matchups.
How outlets are covering it
The Guardian and Bleacher Report emphasize the historic nature of the upset and the Liberty’s dominance, particularly Jonquel Jones’ impact. USA Today focuses on the Lynx’s recurring playoff struggles and Coach Cheryl Reeve’s calls for longer playoff series. ESPN’s source was inaccessible, so its perspective cannot be compared. All available sources agree on the final score and the historic significance of the result.
Why it matters
The result underscores the unpredictability of the WNBA playoffs and highlights the Liberty’s resilience despite a rocky regular season. It also raises questions about the current playoff format, as Reeve argued that best-of-three series do not allow enough time for teams to adjust, potentially favoring smaller rosters or inconsistent teams.
What to watch
The Liberty will await the winner of the Atlanta Dream and Washington Mystics series, which is set to conclude on Wednesday. The semifinals begin on Sunday. For the Lynx, the focus shifts to the offseason, particularly the future of Napheesa Collier, who becomes an unrestricted free agent, and potential changes to the playoff structure.
- WNBA playoffs: No 8 Liberty spring historic upset to take down No 1 seed Lynx The Guardian
- Reeve laments Lynx 'don't quite have right group' after latest playoff flop espn.com
- RandBall: Lynx have explanations for playoff collapse. But there are no excuses. Star Tribune
- Olivia Miles, Lynx on Wrong Side of History with 2026 WNBA Playoff Elimination to 8th Seed Liberty Bleacher Report
- Again? Inside the Minnesota Lynx's latest playoff heartbreak and what went wrong USA Today
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on The Guardian