The top-seeded Minnesota Lynx, practically everyone’s pick to win it all, are officially done for the season. They were absolutely blown out by the No. 8 seed Liberty, falling 87-71 in Game 2, which means New York won the series 2-0. It’s a jaw-dropping outcome that sends the presumptive favorite home as the first team eliminated, and it marks the first time in WNBA history an eighth seed has knocked off a top seed. Wild, right?
The Ultimate Playoff Stunner
Talk about a gut punch. After dropping Game 1 at home on Sunday, the Lynx never recovered. To be a top seed and then get swept by the No. 8 seed, losing Game 2 by 16 points? That is rough. This wasn’t just a loss, it was a historic upset that immediately makes you question everything we thought we knew about these playoffs. The Liberty just pulled off something no other No. 8 seed has ever done, period. The Lynx entered the postseason as the favorite and now they are just out. What a way to kick off the postseason.
Clark’s Historic Night Forces Game 3
While Minnesota crashed out, the Indiana Fever, a No. 6 seed, refused to go down without a fight. Facing elimination against the No. 3 Aces, Caitlin Clark absolutely lit up the court. She dropped the first 25-point, 15-assist performance in WNBA history, leading the Fever to a crucial 99-89 victory! That win forces a win-or-go-home Game 3, which is set for Thursday back in Las Vegas. You just know that game is going to be electric.
Elsewhere in the bracket, things are heating up too. The No. 2 Valkyries hold a 1-0 lead over the No. 7 Wings, and the No. 4 Dream are up 1-0 on the No. 5 Mystics. Both Golden State and Atlanta can close out their series with a win on Wednesday night. If either of those series go to a Game 3, the higher seeds will host them later in the week.
A Groundbreaking Season Delivers Insane Playoff Drama
This 2026 WNBA season has been unbelievable, right? It started after a contentious labor battle that saw a historic raise for players, boosting the salary cap from $1.5 million in 2025 to a massive $7 million this year. And the players absolutely delivered. We saw multiple regular-season records fall, including Caitlin Clark’s first 40-point, 10-assist game, Angel Reese smashing the single-game rebounding record with 26, and Kelsey Mitchell passing A’ja Wilson’s single-season points record. This level of play makes these playoffs even more intense.
The first round is a best-of-three, but then it ramps up to a best-of-five for the semifinals. The Finals themselves are going to be a best-of-seven series, a format only used one other time in league history. Talk about high stakes!
We have Game 2s on Wednesday for the Dream vs. Mystics (7 p.m. ET) and Valkyries vs. Wings (9 p.m. ET), where teams can punch their ticket to the semis. Then, the Fever and Aces face off in their do-or-die Game 3 on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET. With the defending favorite already gone, these playoffs are wide open and every game is a must-watch!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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