The New York Liberty just made WNBA playoff history.
The No. 8-seeded Liberty defeated the No. 1 Minnesota Lynx 87-71 Tuesday night at Barclays Center, completing a 2-0 first-round sweep and becoming the first No. 8 seed in WNBA history to eliminate a No. 1 seed. (New York Post)
New York controlled the game from the opening tip, taking a 26-21 lead after the first quarter and extending the advantage to 49-37 at halftime. The Liberty maintained a 68-56 lead entering the fourth quarter before closing out the Lynx.
The victory sends New York to the WNBA semifinals, marking the Liberty’s third semifinal appearance in four years. (New York Post)
🗽 LIBERTY’S BIG THREE DELIVER
Jonquel Jones led New York with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Breanna Stewart also scored 21 points and added five rebounds and four assists.
Sabrina Ionescu contributed 18 points, seven assists and four rebounds as the Liberty’s core trio combined for 60 points.
For Minnesota, Courtney Williams led the Lynx with 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
GAME BREAKDOWN
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | FINAL |
| Minnesota Lynx | 21 | 16 | 19 | 15 | 71 |
| New York Liberty | 26 | 23 | 19 | 19 | 87 |
New York shot 46.4% from the field and outrebounded Minnesota 42-40. The Liberty also went a perfect 13-for-13 from the free-throw line.
PLAYER LEADERS
Player Player | PTS | REB | AST |
| Jonquel Jones, NYL | 21 | 13 | 2 |
| Breanna Stewart, NYL | 21 | 5 | 4 |
| Sabrina Ionescu, NYL | 18 | 4 | 7 |
| Courtney Williams, MIN | 18 | 8 | 5 |
WHAT WE KNOW
🔹 New York defeated Minnesota 87-71 in Game 2.
🔹 The Liberty swept the Lynx 2-0 in the first round.
🔹 New York is the first No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed in WNBA playoff history.
🔹 Jonquel Jones led the Liberty with 21 points and 13 rebounds.
🔹 Breanna Stewart scored 21 points.
🔹 Sabrina Ionescu finished with 18 points and seven assists.
🔹 Courtney Williams led Minnesota with 18 points.
🔹 New York advances to the WNBA semifinals, which begin October 4.
FROM NO. 8 TO THE SEMIFINALS
The Liberty entered the postseason as the No. 8 seed after finishing the regular season 26-18, while Minnesota entered as the league’s top seed at 33–11.
Instead of simply surviving the series, New York won both games by double digits.
Game 1 was a 91-75 Liberty victory in Minneapolis, with Stewart exploding for 34 points and 12 rebounds.
New York then returned home and finished the job.
The result is now part of WNBA postseason history.
