New York Liberty v Minnesota Lynx Recap 9/27/2026

The New York Liberty visited the Minnesota Lynx for game 1 of the first round of the WNBA playoffs yesterday afternoon. The Lynx would score the first 6 points of the game but the Liberty would punch right back with a 15-0 run of their own and they would win the opening quarter 25-18. The Minnesota Lynx would respond by winning the second quarter 26-15 and taking a 44-40 lead into the half. In the third quarter, the Liberty offense got back to the form that it had in the first quarter as they outscored the Lynx 25-16 and took a 65-60 lead into the final quarter. In the 4th quarter, the Liberty would outscore the Lynx 26-15 and extend their lead out where they would win by 16 points with a final score of 91-75. The Liberty had three players score in double-figures led by a historic performance from Breanna Stewart who had 34 points on 11-18 from the field, 2-3 from three, and 10-12 from the free throw line, grabbed 12 rebounds, dished out 6 assists, picked up 2 steals, and 2 blocks, Breanna Stewart became the first player in WNBA playoff history to score 30 or more points, grab 10 or more rebounds, dish out 5 or more assists, and have 2 or more steals in a game. Leonie Fiebich had 16 points on 6-7 from the field, and 4-5 from three, grabbed 8 rebounds, dished out 3 assists, picked up a steal, and a block, Sabrina Ionescu had 13 points on 4-14 from the field, 3-8 from three, and 2-2 from the free throw line, dished out 6 assists, and picked up 2 steals. The Lynx had four players score in double-figures led by Nia Brodie off the bench who had 16 points on 6-7 from the field, 4-5 from three, and 0-1 from the free throw line, grabbed a rebound, and picked up a block, Kayla McBride had 14 points on 5-12 from the field, 2-7 from three, and 2-2 from the free throw line, grabbed 2 rebounds, dished out 6 assists, and picked up a steal, Napheesa Collier had 12 points on 6-14 from the field, and 0-3 from three, grabbed 5 rebounds, dished out 3 assists, and picked up a steal, Olivia Miles had 11 points on 3-12 from the field, 1-4 from three, and 4-4 at the free throw line, grabbed 8 rebounds, dished out 1 assist, and picked up a block. The Liberty took a 1-0 series lead and can close this best of three series out at home tomorrow.
Next up:
These two teams meet in game 2 at Barclays Center tomorrow night at 8:30 PM EST broadcast on USA Network/CNBC