Liberty oust Lynx from playoffs: How Minnesota became first No. 1 seed slayed by a No. 8 seed in WNBA history

Key Points:

• The No. 1 seed Minnesota Lynx were eliminated in the first round of the 2026 WNBA playoffs after a surprising 87-71 loss to the No. 8 seed New York Liberty, marking the first time a top seed lost to an eighth seed in the first round.
• The Lynx struggled offensively, shooting just 38.2% as a team, with key players Courtney Williams and Napheesa Collier inefficient, and Rookie of the Year Olivia Miles having a poor series, scoring only 16 points on 20 shots and being benched after a flagrant foul.
• The Liberty’s core trio of Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart, and Sabrina Ionescu delivered strong performances, helping New York complete the series sweep despite injuries and a challenging regular season.
• The Lynx entered the playoffs as favorites after a 33-11 regular season but showed signs of vulnerability late in the season, including a 2-4 skid and concerning comments from players and coach Cheryl Reeve, who downplayed pressure ahead of elimination.
• Despite the Lynx's dominance in regular season wins over the past three years, their playoff success has been limited, with this early exit continuing a pattern of underachievement in the postseason.