The 2026 WNBA Playoffs opened with dominant performances from two of the league's biggest stars, as A'ja Wilson led the Las Vegas Aces past the Indiana Fever while Breanna Stewart powered the New York Liberty to a convincing win over the Minnesota Lynx.
Both teams now sit one victory away from advancing after impressive Game 1 performances.
A'ja Wilson Leads Aces Past Indiana Fever
A'ja Wilson delivered a spectacular performance for the Las Vegas Aces in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Indiana Fever.
Wilson finished with 38 points, 16 rebounds and four blocked shots, helping the Aces defeat Indiana 102-85 in Las Vegas. She was also highly efficient from the field, making 15 of 19 attempts.
The Aces controlled much of the game, while Wilson's scoring and rebounding created major problems for Indiana's defense.
Wilson's performance came shortly after she was named the Associated Press WNBA Player of the Year for the third consecutive season, adding another major highlight to an already impressive playoff start.
The Aces will now travel to Indiana for Game 2 with an opportunity to close out the best-of-three series.
Breanna Stewart Sparks New York Liberty
Breanna Stewart was equally impressive on the other side of the bracket.
The New York Liberty entered the playoffs as the No. 8 seed but stunned the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx with a 91-75 road victory in Game 1.
Stewart recorded 34 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks, producing one of the most complete individual performances of the opening playoff round.
Her performance was especially significant because New York defeated Minnesota on its home floor. The Liberty now need just one more victory to eliminate the top seed and advance to the next round.
Stewart's all-around numbers also made playoff history, as she became the first WNBA player to record at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks in a postseason game.
Two WNBA Stars, 72 Combined Points
Wilson and Stewart combined for 72 points and 28 rebounds in their respective Game 1 victories, underlining their impact on the opening day of the playoffs.
Their performances also highlighted the experience and star power surrounding both franchises. Wilson has been central to the Aces' championship success, while Stewart has been one of the Liberty's most important players.
With both teams holding 1-0 series leads, the spotlight will now turn to Game 2.
Fever Face Elimination Against Aces
Indiana now faces a must-win situation. The Fever will need to find a way to slow down Wilson while improving their offensive efficiency.
Caitlin Clark finished Game 1 with 15 points and 10 assists but also committed six turnovers. Kelsey Mitchell scored 12 points while shooting 4-for-16 from the field.
Indiana will need a stronger offensive performance if it wants to extend the series.
Lynx Look to Respond Against Liberty
Minnesota faces a similar challenge after losing Game 1 at home.
Napheesa Collier and Olivia Miles combined for only 23 points on 9-for-26 shooting in the opening game, while Stewart and the Liberty took advantage of their opportunities.
The Lynx will now look to respond in Game 2 and force a decisive third game.
What's Next in the WNBA Playoffs?
The Aces and Liberty both have a chance to complete first-round sweeps with another victory.
For Las Vegas, the focus will be on maintaining its defensive pressure and continuing to utilize Wilson's inside scoring and rebounding. For New York, Stewart's ability to contribute across multiple areas could once again be crucial.
Both series have quickly become two of the major storylines of the opening round of the 2026 WNBA Playoffs.
Final Takeaway
A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart made immediate statements in the 2026 WNBA postseason.
Wilson's 38-point, 16-rebound performance helped the Aces defeat Indiana, while Stewart's 34-point, 12-rebound effort pushed the Liberty past Minnesota.
With both teams leading their best-of-three series 1-0, the next games could determine whether the Aces and Liberty complete first-round sweeps or their opponents fight back to extend the postseason battles.
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