Breanna Stewart just threw down a playoff performance that literally no one in WNBA history has ever matched, leading the eighth-seeded New York Liberty to a stunning 91-75 road upset over the No. 1 seed Minnesota Lynx in Game 1. Talk about starting a series with a bang! The Liberty now stand just one win away from punching their ticket to the semifinals, and all eyes are on Game 2 in Brooklyn.
Stewie’s Historic Playoff Masterpiece Has The League Buzzing
Forget just a good game; Stewart delivered an absolute masterpiece in Minneapolis’ Target Center. We’re talking 34 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two blocks. Go ahead, check the record books. That stat line? It’s never been seen before in WNBA playoff history. Let that sink in for a second. This is a two-time MVP and three-time WNBA champion we’re talking about, right? She’s known for clutch moments, but to do something truly unprecedented, especially when the Liberty have been plagued by inconsistency all season and were rolling in as the underdog? That’s a different level of genius. It was the ninth time in her playoff career she’s dropped 30 or more points, and you can bet she chose the perfect moment for this one. Candace Parker wasn’t wrong when she said the Lynx forgot what Stewart was about.
Lynx Left Reeling After Liberty’s Road Dominance
The Liberty didn’t just win, they stormed into the Lynx’s house and dominated for most of Sunday’s game. New York’s defense locked down Minnesota’s “high-powered offense,” holding them to just 41.8 percent shooting overall. Even more telling, the Lynx could only muster 31 points in the entire second half. Olivia Miles, who’s been an MVP candidate as a rookie, had a rough outing with a 1-to-4 assist-turnover ratio. You simply can’t let a team like the Liberty get comfortable, especially not with Stewart playing like she’s on a mission. This wasn’t some fluke; New York came in and earned that victory, taking a commanding 1-0 lead in the best-of-three first-round series.
Now the Liberty head home to Brooklyn for Game 2 on Tuesday. Another victory, and they’re off to the semifinals. Can they close it out in front of their home crowd, or will the Lynx find a way to stop the force that is Breanna Stewart? You won’t want to miss a second of it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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