WNBA playoffs schedule shaken as Lynx fall to Liberty
The Minnesota Lynx are out of the WNBA playoffs schedule after the No. 8 New York Liberty swept the No. 1 seed in historic fashion. Coach Cheryl Reeve said Minnesota exceeded regular-season expectations but may not have the right group for postseason success, putting the roster's future under scrutiny.
Key Takeaways
- New York became the first No. 8 seed to beat a No. 1 seed in WNBA playoff history, eliminating Minnesota with an 87-71 Game 2 win.
- The Lynx are the first No. 1 seed swept in an opening series, and they lost consecutive playoff games by 15 or more points for the first time.
- Reeve said the Lynx "don't quite have the right group" for playoff effectiveness after three straight early exits.
- Napheesa Collier hits free agency and cannot be cored; Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, and Natasha Howard are under contract through 2027.
What happened in the WNBA playoffs schedule for Minnesota?
On Tuesday night at Barclays Center, the Liberty closed out a 2-0 first-round sweep with an 87-71 victory. Per ESPN, Minnesota became the first No. 1 seed in WNBA history swept in its opening series.
New York never trailed in Game 2. Jonquel Jones had 21 points and 13 rebounds, Breanna Stewart added 21 points in 40 minutes, and Sabrina Ionescu scored 18 with seven assists. ESPN reported the Liberty big three scored or assisted on 70 points while the Lynx scored 71 as a team.
Courtney Williams led Minnesota with 18 points. Collier finished with 14 points and seven rebounds amid foul trouble, Kayla McBride added 14, and unanimous Rookie of the Year Olivia Miles had five points in 17 minutes.
Why does Cheryl Reeve say the Lynx lack the right group?
Reeve called Minnesota a great regular-season team that "ran into the wrong team." The Lynx sat 31-7 in late August behind Miles and Reeve's fifth Coach of the Year campaign, yet again failed to reach the Finals as the league's top regular-season side.
"I have not felt like we've had that team over these three years," Reeve said, arguing the Lynx may exceed expectations in the regular season then lack the right group in the playoffs. She took responsibility as coach and president of basketball operations to "make the hard decisions" and find help.
Reeve also said Olivia Miles and Natasha Howard were Minnesota's two best players all season but were "rendered ineffective" by New York's size. Miles pointed to the Liberty's length and said the Lynx played "tight and stressed."
What comes next after this playoff flop?
The Liberty advance to face either the Atlanta Dream or Washington Mystics. Minnesota faces an unsettled offseason: Williams, McBride, and Howard are under contract through 2027, Miles remains on her rookie deal, and Collier—who signed a one-year deal for 2026—cannot be cored in free agency and has been noncommittal about returning.
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