Liberty Become First No. 8 Seed to Eliminate No. 1 Seed in WNBA Playoff History
The New York Liberty have made WNBA playoff history, becoming the first No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed after sweeping the Minnesota Lynx in the opening round of the 2026 WNBA playoffs.
New York completed the historic upset with an 87-71 victory over Minnesota in Game 2 on Tuesday night at Barclays Center. The Liberty won the best-of-three series 2-0 and advanced to the WNBA semifinals.
Liberty Complete Historic Sweep
After winning Game 1 on the road 91-75, New York returned home with an opportunity to close out the series. The Liberty controlled Game 2 for much of the night and never allowed the top-seeded Lynx to regain the lead.
Jonquel Jones was one of the biggest contributors for New York, finishing with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Breanna Stewart also scored 21 points, while Sabrina Ionescu added 18 points.
The strong performance from New York's key players helped the Liberty pull away and secure one of the most notable playoff results in WNBA history.
Breanna Stewart Sets the Tone
Stewart had already delivered a dominant performance in Game 1, scoring 34 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in New York's 91-75 win.
Her Game 1 performance helped the Liberty take control of the series before the team returned to Brooklyn. The WNBA's official recap noted that Stewart also contributed six assists, two steals and two blocks in the opening victory.
In Game 2, Stewart again reached 21 points and played an important role as New York completed the sweep.
Jonquel Jones Dominates the Glass
Jones provided a major inside presence throughout Game 2. Her 21 points and 13 rebounds gave New York an advantage around the basket and helped the Liberty maintain control.
Jones said after the game that the Liberty believed their size could give them an advantage against Minnesota. Her production reflected that approach as New York protected its lead and finished the series.
Lynx Season Ends After Best Regular-Season Record
Minnesota entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed after finishing the regular season with a 33-11 record. The Lynx had secured the top seed for the second consecutive season.
Despite their regular-season success, Minnesota could not overcome New York in the first round.
The Lynx were led by Courtney Williams, who scored 18 points, while Napheesa Collier added 14. Rookie Olivia Miles had a difficult Game 2, scoring five points while shooting 1-for-8 from the field.
A Historic Result for the WNBA Playoffs
The Liberty's victory marks the first time in WNBA history that a No. 8 seed has eliminated a No. 1 seed.
The league has used several playoff formats throughout its history. The current format, introduced in 2022, places the top eight teams into the first round, making a No. 1-versus-No. 8 matchup possible.
New York's sweep therefore becomes a significant milestone under the current playoff structure.
Liberty Move On to the Semifinals
With the series complete, the Liberty now advance to the WNBA semifinals. New York will face the winner of the Atlanta Dream and Washington Mystics first-round series. The semifinals are scheduled to begin Sunday.
For Minnesota, the playoff run ends much earlier than expected after one of the strongest regular seasons in the league.
For New York, the historic sweep provides a place in the next round and adds another memorable chapter to the franchise's playoff history.
Final Takeaway
The New York Liberty have officially made WNBA history. As the No. 8 seed, they defeated the No. 1 seed Minnesota Lynx 2-0 in the first round, highlighted by strong performances from Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu.
The Liberty now turn their attention to the semifinals, while the Lynx begin the offseason after an unexpected first-round exit.
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