Breanna Stewart scored 34 points with 12 rebounds and added six assists, two steals and two blocks as the New York Liberty defeated the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx 91-75 in Game 1 of their best-of-three first-round WNBA playoff series on Sunday, according to The Guardian and The Washington Times.
Stewart shot 11 for 18 from the floor while being guarded for much of the game by Napheesa Collier, her friend and former college teammate who was named the 2024 WNBA defensive player of the year, per The Guardian.
The result puts the Lynx, the No. 1 seed, on the brink of elimination, with New York needing one more win to advance. The Lynx face a must-win Game 2 in New York on Tuesday, according to The Guardian.
Right-leaning coverage characterized the outcome as a lopsided defeat for Minnesota, with the New York Post describing the Lynx as having largely given the game away rather than having it taken from them.
How each side covered it
Left
- The Guardian highlighted Breanna Stewart's 34-point, 12-rebound performance as a defining factor in the win.
- Coverage noted Stewart was guarded for most of the game by Napheesa Collier, her friend and former college teammate.
- The Lynx were described as facing a must-win Game 2 in New York on Tuesday.
“Liberty win Game 1 to put top-seeded Lynx on brink of WNBA playoff exit” — The Guardian
Center
- Yahoo Sports quoted Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve discussing the team's shot-making, which she said did not carry over from the regular season finale.
- Coverage noted the Lynx had ended the regular season with a 20-point win over the Indiana Fever after dropping four of their previous five games.
- CBS Sports covered the game as part of broader first-round playoff predictions across the WNBA.
“No. 1 Minnesota Lynx stumble against No. 8 New York Liberty” — Yahoo Sports
Right
- The New York Post characterized the Lynx as having given the game away rather than New York earning a stolen victory.
- The Washington Times highlighted Breanna Stewart's 34-point performance as central to the win, pushing the top-seeded Lynx to the brink of elimination.
“Liberty crush top-seeded Lynx in Game 1 stunner” — New York Post
Questions readers ask
What happened in Game 1 of the Lynx vs. Liberty WNBA playoff series?
The New York Liberty defeated the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx 91-75 on Sunday in Game 1 of their best-of-three first-round WNBA playoff series, led by Breanna Stewart's 34 points and 12 rebounds.
Who led the New York Liberty in their Game 1 win?
Breanna Stewart, a two-time league MVP, scored 34 points with 12 rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks while shooting 11 for 18 from the floor, according to The Guardian.
What happens next in the series?
The Minnesota Lynx, the top-seeded team, face a must-win Game 2 against the New York Liberty in New York on Tuesday, according to The Guardian.
What did left- and right-leaning outlets focus on?
Left-leaning coverage from The Guardian emphasized Breanna Stewart's individual statistical performance and the matchup with Napheesa Collier. Right-leaning outlets, including the New York Post, framed the loss as one Minnesota largely gave away.
Sources · 5 outlet reports
- The GuardianLeft-leaningLiberty win Game 1 to put top-seeded Lynx on brink of WNBA playoff exit
- CBS SportsCenter2026 WNBA playoff predictions: Expert picks for Lynx vs. Liberty, Aces vs. Fever and rest of the first round
- Yahoo SportsCenterWhat channel is Lynx vs. Liberty on? Time, TV schedule, live stream to watch Game 1 of WNBA Playoffs series
- New York PostRight-leaningLiberty looking to make playoff ‘history’ after up-and-down regular season
- The Washington TimesRight-leaningBreanna Stewart’s 34 points leads the Liberty in Game 1, and pushes the top-seeded Lynx to the brink