New York Liberty beat the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx 91-75 in Game 1 of their best-of-three WNBA first-round play-off series, with Breanna Stewart delivering 34 points and 12 rebounds.
Stewart also supplied six assists, two steals and two blocks in 37 minutes, according to the Liberty. The team said she made 11 of her 18 field-goal attempts as New York opened the series with a road victory.
The result puts Minnesota under immediate pressure in the short series. The Guardian reported that New York will host Game 2 on Tuesday, when the Liberty can eliminate the Lynx. Minnesota need a win to force Game 3 at Target Center on Thursday.
Stewart’s all-round display sets Liberty apart
Stewart’s scoring accounted for more than a third of New York’s 91 points, while her work across the court was equally prominent. The Guardian reported that Napheesa Collier guarded her for much of the game, but Stewart still finished 11-for-18 from the floor.
The Liberty said Stewart became the first player in WNBA history to record at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals in a single play-off game. That is a claim made by the club in its own match report.
According to the Guardian, Stewart finished two points short of the Liberty franchise record for points in a play-off game. Her 34-point outing was accompanied by a double-double, six assists and contributions on defence.
The Guardian described the performance as another clutch play-off display from Stewart, who it said has the second-highest post-season scoring average in league history. The report also noted that she is a two-time league MVP.
The Guardian said Collier, identified in its report as the 2024 WNBA defensive player of the year, spent most of the afternoon as Stewart’s primary defender. The matchup did not prevent Stewart from producing her points, rebounds and assists total, while the Liberty’s report recorded two steals and two blocks as part of her 37-minute contribution.
Minnesota’s leading players face a response test
Nia Brodie led Minnesota with 16 points in 19 minutes from the bench, while Kayla McBride scored 14 after missing her first five three-point attempts, the Guardian reported. Collier and centre Natasha Howard both fouled out.
Olivia Miles, described by the Guardian as a star rookie, made her post-season debut with 11 points on 3-for-12 shooting and one assist. Those figures illustrate the scale of the Lynx’s task after a game in which their leading individual scorer finished on 16 points.
New York’s own report recorded a 15-0 first-quarter run after Minnesota scored the opening six points. The Lynx still led 44-40 at half-time following a 14-6 run late in the second period. The Liberty responded after the break, shooting 9-for-15 in the third quarter to lead 65-60 with 10 minutes left. They then outscored Minnesota 26-15 in the final quarter. Those swings explain how a four-point half-time deficit became a 16-point road victory.
- New York: 91 points
- Minnesota: 75 points
- Breanna Stewart: 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists
- Nia Brodie: 16 points for Minnesota
Leonie Fiebich added 16 points, eight rebounds and three assists for New York, hitting four three-pointers on 6-for-7 shooting, according to the Liberty. Sabrina Ionescu supplied 13 points and six assists. New York made 13 threes from 25 attempts, matching its play-off franchise record.
The Liberty entered the series after a 26-18 regular season, according to the Guardian, while Minnesota held the league’s best regular-season record and the No 1 seed. New York’s club report said the win made the Liberty the first No 8 seed to defeat a No 1 seed in a WNBA play-off game.
The Guardian reported that New York were two years removed from winning their first WNBA championship against Minnesota in a five-game final. It also said the Liberty were eliminated in the first round by Phoenix Mercury last season, while Phoenix subsequently beat the top-seeded Lynx before losing to Las Vegas Aces in the title series.
That seeding context gives the result added significance, but the series remains live under its best-of-three format. New York have earned the chance to finish the contest at home in Game 2; Minnesota must respond to extend their campaign.