Minnesota Lynx eliminated by New York Liberty in playoff upset

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 30, 2026, 10:08 AM

Last updated Sep 30, 2026

Minnesota Lynx eliminated by New York Liberty in playoff upset
Summary

The Minnesota Lynx were eliminated from the WNBA playoffs by the New York Liberty in a first-round upset on September 29, 2026. The Lynx, the No. 1 seed, lost the series 2-0 after a decisive 87-71 defeat in Game 2. Despite a dominant regular season with a 33-11 record, the Lynx continued a trend of playoff heartbreak, marking the first time a No. 1 seed lost to a No. 8 seed since the playoff format changed in 2016. Coach Cheryl Reeve cited ineffective performances from key players as a major factor in the defeat, as well as the Liberty's significant rebounding advantage. The Lynx will now reflect on their early exit and the missed opportunities in their pursuit of a championship.

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  • •Lynx finish regular season with a 33-11 record.
  • •New York Liberty swept the series 2-0 in the first round.
  • •Lynx became first No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 8 seed since 2016.
  • •Cheryl Reeve cited ineffective performance from Olivia Miles and Natasha Howard.
  • •Minnesota's defense struggled, allowing a significant rebounding disadvantage.
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  • 10:08 AMYahoo Sports — Again? Inside the Minnesota Lynx's latest playoff heartbreak and what went wrong
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The Lynx entered the WNBA playoffs looking to end their title drought, but after a shocking first-round upset, Minnesota is once again left heartbroken.

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