The New York Liberty face the Minnesota Lynx in Game 1 of their WNBA playoff series on Sunday, with the Lynx as 6.5-point favorites based on their regular-season dominance but recent split performance against the Fever. The article predicts a close game given the Liberty's strong defensive showing against Miles this season and Stewart’s career success against the Lynx, suggesting a bet on the Liberty to cover the spread at +6.5 points.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-27,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The New York Liberty secured a shocking 91-75 victory over the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in Game 1 of their best-of-three WNBA playoff series on Sunday, April 23, 2026. Despite finishing as the eighth seed with a record of 26-18, the Liberty's star player Breanna Stewart led the charge with an impressive performance of 34 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. The win puts the Liberty one game away from eliminating the previously undefeated Lynx, who must now win Game 2 to avoid being the first top-seeded team in history to fail to advance past the first round since a format change in 2022.
Stewart's clutch play was pivotal, as she scored crucial points and made key defensive plays against her former college teammate Napheesa Collier. The Liberty capitalized on multiple Lynx turnovers and foul trouble, with Collier and All-Star center Natasha Howard each fouling out of the game. Rookie Olivia Miles struggled in her first playoff appearance, scoring just 11 points.
With Game 2 scheduled for Tuesday, April 25, at home, the Liberty now hold a narrow advantage but remain wary of a potential Lynx comeback, as they narrowly escaped a similar situation last year against Phoenix. The Liberty’s defense was instrumental in limiting the Lynx's scoring opportunities and forcing turnovers that kept the game close until the final quarter when New York pulled away. Despite their historic lead, Stewart emphasized the need for continued focus to avoid being caught off guard by Minnesota's resilience.
Written for “Liberty-Lynx WNBA Playoff Matchup” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 13 other(s) covering the same event.
The Liberty begin their 2026 playoff quest in Minnesota on Sunday against the top-seeded Lynx, in a rematch of the 2024 WNBA Finals.
asserted
Liberty → begin → Finals
After dropping its last two games to the Dream, Breanna Stewart and company clinched the eighth seed, guaranteeing a matchup with the title favorites.
asserted
Stewart → drop → favorites
Minnesota split a home-and-home series against the Fever, with Olivia Miles resting up a calf injury for this playoff opener.
asserted
Miles → split → opener
The Liberty enters with two double-digit wins over the Lynx, taking the regular-season series 2-1, but Miles and the Lynx are considerable 6.5-point favorites on the spread for Game 1.
asserted
Miles → enter → Game
Liberty vs. Lynx prediction, best bet
The Lynx’s 33-11 record secured them the No. 1 overall seed for a second straight season.
asserted
record → secure → season
Only four of Minnesota’s eleven losses came by ten or more points, and the Liberty handed them two of those defeats.
asserted
Liberty → come → defeats
Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones are no strangers to the big moment, and perhaps Chris DeMarco’s squad welcomes the challenge.
asserted
squad → welcome → challenge
Other teams might prefer an easier start to the postseason, but the Liberty have a slight edge in experience and, in my opinion, playoff readiness.
uncertain
Liberty → prefer → opinion
All eyes will be on Miles, as the ROY frontrunner makes her postseason debut following a sensational regular season.
asserted
frontrunner → make → season
Alongside Naphessha Collier, the Lynx are seeking revenge from the Finals two seasons ago, but if the Liberty did indeed play their cards right, I like them to keep things close.
asserted
I → seek → things
Miles averaged 19 points, six rebounds, and 4.7 assists against the Liberty this season, right in line with her nightly production.
asserted
Miles → average → production
But the Liberty’s defense held her below 32 percent shooting in both losses and forced her into five turnovers in their previous win on Sep. 18.
asserted
defense → hold → Sep.
Stewart is also as dependable as it gets in the postseason, boasting an impressive 8-2 career record against the Lynx dating back to her tenure with the Storm.
asserted
it → get → Storm
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Her activity in the paint and high post should test Collier’s defense, and Jones’s presence also poses a tough challenge on the offensive boards, matching up with the shorter Natasha Howard.
asserted
presence → get → Howard
Minnesota also lacks depth, as their bench output of 15.4 points per contest ranked lowest in the ‘W.’
asserted
output → lack → W.
I like the Liberty to cover this 6.5 just as they did in the Target Center about a week ago.
asserted
they → like → Center
Styles make fights, and I believe the physicality and experience from the Liberty’s side, especially from Stewart and Jones manning the paint, could create tense moments for the Lynx.
uncertain
physicality → make → Lynx
The Play: Liberty +6.5 (-105, BetMGM)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Mike Turay is a sports journalist and editor who closely follows the NBA, NFL, college sports and UFC.
asserted
who → trust → NBA
He has demonstrated expertise in both NBA and NFL player prop bets for nearly three years.
asserted
He → demonstrate → years
Mike is also highly knowledgeable about the sportsbook offer landscape, frequently trying and reviewing the latest apps and sites.
asserted
Mike → try → apps
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